Srinagar, June 19 (UNI) Security forces shot dead two unidentified militants during a gun battle in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore sub-district on Wednesday, officials said.
They said two security personnel were also injured during the gun battle.


A Police officer said acting on a specific intelligence input, a joint cordon and search operation was launched with the army and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the Hadipora area of Rafiabad Sopore.
“During the search operation, the joint team encountered indiscriminate firing from the hiding terrorists. The security forces retaliated, leading to an encounter. In the ensuing exchange, two terrorists were neutralised,” he said. “A policeman and army jawan were also wounded in the initial firing.”

The identities and the group affiliation of the slain could not be established immediately.

The encounter broke out a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first trip to Kashmir after being sworn in for the third consecutive time. Modi would arrive in Srinagar on Thursday evening and next morning would lead the Yoga Day celebration from Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) on the bank of the iconic Dal Lake. UNI MJR SSP