Security forces gun down 2 militants in Pulwama, encounter underway

Security forces gunned down two militants holed up inside a house in Awantipora area of Kashmir's Pulwama district in an encounter in the early hours today. A civilian is also reported to have died in the crossfire between forces and the holed-up militants.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Padgampora village of Awantipora around 2.30 AM following information about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said.

He said the militants, alleged to be Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives, opened fire at security forces around 4.40 AM, and the forces retaliated, killing 2 militants who were hiding in two houses next to each other.

Early reports suggest the presence of 2-3 terror operatives in the area. A few gunshots were also heard and therefore Army and Special Operation Group of Awantipora cordoned off the area.

The official said a body could be seen outside one of the houses but it could not be confirmed whether the suspected militant was dead or injured.

The security officials had brought to the spot the mother of one of the militants holed up inside the houses in an effort to get him to surrender but he has refused to do so, he added.

Authorities have, meanwhile, suspended train services between Banihal and Srinagar apprehending that miscreants might target the trains.

Meanwhile the Director-General of Military Operations (DGMO) has spoken to his Pakistan counterpart expressing concern over the movement of terrorists noticed along the Line of Control.

The terrorists killed in Pulwama encounter have been identified as LeT's Jahangir Ahamd Ganaie and Sher Gujri, said CRPF.

Army sources say that the one another militant is still holed up in the house in Padgampora village of Kashmir.