<p>Two Garud Commandos of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and two Lashkar-e-Taiba militants were killed in an encounter in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir today.<br /><br />Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Hajin area of Bandipora district in the early hours today following information about presence of militants in the area, an Army official said.<br /><br />He said the militants opened fire on the security forces, triggering a gun battle.<br />Two IAF Garud personnel, who were part of the operation for training and experience purpose, were injured in the exchange of fire with the militants, the official said.<br /><br />The injured personnel were evacuated to 92 Base Hospital here where they succumbed to injuries.<br /><br />They have been identified as Sergeant Milind Kishor and Corporal Nilesh Kumar.<br />Two militants have been killed in the encounter, the official said adding the slain ultras belonged to Lashkar-e- Toiba (LeT).<br /><br />They have been identified as Ali alias Abu Maaz, a Pakistani militant, and Nasrullah Mir, a local militant.<br /><br />Director General of Police (DGP) S P Vaid said these militants were involved in a number of terror attacks in which security forces personnel and civilians were killed.<br />"It is a big success for security forces," Vaid said.<br /><br />A police official said two AK rifles, one pistol, one hand grenade 12 AK magazines and 75 rounds were recovered from the scene of the encounter.<br /><br />General officer Commanding of the Chinar Corps of the Army Lt General J S Sandhu led officers and other ranks in paying tribute to the slain IAF men.<br /><br />"Chinar Corps Commander and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of India Air Force Garud martyrs of Hajin operation," an Army official said.<br /><br />A wreath laying ceremony was held at Badamibagh headquarters of the Army here for the soldiers.<br /><br />Senior officers from the Army, police and IAF were present at the ceremony.</p>
<p>Two Garud Commandos of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and two Lashkar-e-Taiba militants were killed in an encounter in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir today.<br /><br />Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Hajin area of Bandipora district in the early hours today following information about presence of militants in the area, an Army official said.<br /><br />He said the militants opened fire on the security forces, triggering a gun battle.<br />Two IAF Garud personnel, who were part of the operation for training and experience purpose, were injured in the exchange of fire with the militants, the official said.<br /><br />The injured personnel were evacuated to 92 Base Hospital here where they succumbed to injuries.<br /><br />They have been identified as Sergeant Milind Kishor and Corporal Nilesh Kumar.<br />Two militants have been killed in the encounter, the official said adding the slain ultras belonged to Lashkar-e- Toiba (LeT).<br /><br />They have been identified as Ali alias Abu Maaz, a Pakistani militant, and Nasrullah Mir, a local militant.<br /><br />Director General of Police (DGP) S P Vaid said these militants were involved in a number of terror attacks in which security forces personnel and civilians were killed.<br />"It is a big success for security forces," Vaid said.<br /><br />A police official said two AK rifles, one pistol, one hand grenade 12 AK magazines and 75 rounds were recovered from the scene of the encounter.<br /><br />General officer Commanding of the Chinar Corps of the Army Lt General J S Sandhu led officers and other ranks in paying tribute to the slain IAF men.<br /><br />"Chinar Corps Commander and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of India Air Force Garud martyrs of Hajin operation," an Army official said.<br /><br />A wreath laying ceremony was held at Badamibagh headquarters of the Army here for the soldiers.<br /><br />Senior officers from the Army, police and IAF were present at the ceremony.</p>