2 militants killed in North Kashmir encounters

Srinagar: Two unidentified militants on Wednesday were killed in two different encounters in twin towns of Sopore and Handwara of North Kashmir.
Sources told Press Bureau of India that acting on a tip-off regarding the presence of militants, Army’s 6 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) early this morning laid a siege around Hafrada forest area of Handwara in the frontier Kupwara district and started combing operations. As the search operation was in progress, suspected militants hiding in the dense forest area opened heavy fire on the Army men. The search team returned the fire sparking off fierce encounter. In the exchange of fire, one suspected militant was killed. However, other militants managed to flee from the spot.
The identity of slain militant is not known.
In another encounter between militants and the joint team of Army’s 22 RR, Special Operations Group (SOG) of police at Dooru, Sopore in the Baramulla district, one unknown militant was killed.
Press Bureau of India correspondent from North Kashmir said that a contingent of Army and SOG personnel cordoned off Rather Mohalla of Dooru, Sopore and started combing operations. When the joint team started advances, the militants hiding in the village opened heavy fire on the search party. In the ensuing exchange of fire one unidentified militant was killed.
Meanwhile, Army’s 1 Naga has started a search operation in Nowgam sector of the district following inputs about the presence of militants in the area.
Srinagar based Army spokesman, J S Brar said that two militants were killed in two different encounters in Baramulla and Kupwara districts of North Kashmir.
“The searches in both the areas are going on,” he added.