Srinagar, June 27: Two local militants of Lashker-e-Toiba were killed in a gunfight in Kulgam district of south Kashmir on Monday, police said.

“Acting on specific information generated by Police regarding the presence of (militants) in village Nowpora-Kherpora, Trubji area of Kulgam, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, Army’s 1RR and CRPF in the area,” a police spokesperson said in a statement.

During the search operation, he said, as the joint search party approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party which was retaliated “effectively” leading to an encounter.

However in order to evacuate the civilians trapped around the encounter site, he said, the joint team ensured the evacuation of all civilians to the safer places.

In the ensuing encounter, he said, two local militants of LeT were killed. They have been identified as Zubair Ahmad Mir of Qaimoh Kulgam and Idrees Ahmad Dar of Kulpora Kulgam.

“As per police records, both the killed (militants) were categorized and involved in several cases including attacks on Police/security forces including killing of PRIs,” he said, adding, “It is pertinent to mention that Zubair Ahmad Mir was active since Aug-2021 and was trying to revive the (militant) folds by recruiting and motivating the gullible youth including Idrees Ahmad to join (militant) folds.”

He said arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter.  However there was no specific mention about the same.

“IGP Kashmir termed this operation an important as encounter site is very close to highway (Yatra route) and LeT (TRF) has been issuing threats to Yatra,” the spokesperson said. (