Two militants killed in Srinagar encounter

Two local militants were killed while four security forces personnel were injured in a fierce gun battle in Sothu Kothair area of Nowgam on the outskirts of Srinagar on Wednesday morning.

Police said the gunfight broke out around 2 am following a cordon-and-search-operation based on ‘credible input’ about the presence of the militants in the area. As the security forces were conducting searches they were fired and in the initial exchange of gunfire, four security forces personnel were injured, a police official said.

The gun battle continued for an hour in which two militants was killed. They were identified as Sabzar Sofi and Asif Ahmad Gojri, both residents of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. The killing of the militants sparked off violent protests in the area and led to a spontaneous shutdown, reports said.

The authorities also suspended mobile Internet services in Srinagar and neighboring Budgam district aimed to calm tensions and prevent protests from being organized. Intra-Kashmir train services remained suspended due to apprehension of fresh violence. Schools and colleges were also closed in Srinagar district.