Sopore, June 25 : Two local militants were killed in an encounter that broke out on wee hours of Thursday between militants and government forces at Hardshiva area of Sopore in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

A defence ministry official said that that about 14:30 hours mid-night, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, army’s 22RR and CRPF in Reshipora village of Hardshiva area following a credible information received regarding presence of militants there.

“As the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them which was retaliated, leading to an encounter,” the official said, adding, “In the ensuing encounter two militants LeT outfit were neutralized.”

Sources identified the slain as Bilal Ahmad Parray of Yamarzalwari Shiva Sopore and Waleed Bashir Mir of Behrampora Rafiabad Sopore.

A police spokesman said that incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. “All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation and to probe their role and complicity in other militant crimes,” the spokesman said.

The bodies of the militants were sent to Baramulla for their last rites after conducting medico-legal formalities including collection of their DNA, the spokesman added. (GNS)