Srinagar: Two militant bodies including that of senior Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander, Altaf Kachroo were  recovered along with weapons from the encounter site in Anantnag district of south Kashmir on Wednesday early morning, police sources revealed

‘We have recovered two bodies from the site and identification will be done now,” a police official said.

According to police sources the slain militants were identified as  Hizb commander Altaf Kachroo and Umar Ganaie

Kachroo was listed among the top militant commanders in most wanted list released by government forces.

The other slain militant has been identified as Umar Rashid who is believed to have escaped earlier in Batamalo encounter.

Earlier a joint team of army’s 1st RR, SOG and CRPF laid a seige at Binpora, Muniward area of Khanabal at around 5:00 am.

Soon after the joint team of forces launched the cordon in the area, a massive blast occurred followed by intense firing, they said.

A senior police officer said that the joint team of army, SOG and CRPF launched the CASO in the area following inputs about the presence of two top militants.

The militants opened fire while the forces were zeroing in the suspected house which resulted into an encounter, he said.

Meanwhile, in wake of the gunfight, authorities have snapped internet services in most parts of Anantnag and Kulgam district.

Massive clashes erupted between protesters and forces in the area.

District authorities have imposed restrictions in the same of killing of two militants.

Train services to the district have been suspended as well.