Srinagar: Security forces shot dead two local militants in a gun battle in Kashmir on Wednesday morning, officials said. They said the duo were Involved in the recent killing of a Sarpanch in the city outskirts. Officials said the gunfight broke in Tral area of Awantipora sub-district in south Kashmir when joint forces launched a cordon and search operation following an input about the presence of militants there. “As the cordon was being laid, the militants opened fire triggering a gunfight with the security forces. Two militants have been killed in the gunfight,” a security official said. Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar identified the slain militants as Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind’s (AGuH) Safat Muzzaffar Sofi alias Muavia and Lashker-e-Toiba’s Umer Teli alias Talha. “Before shifting to Tral area both were involved in several terror crimes in Srinagar city including recent killing of Sarpanch (Sameer Ahmad) in Khanmoh Srinagar,” a police tweet quoting the IGP Kashmir said Sarpanch Sameer Ahmed Bhat was killed on March 9 at Khonmoh in Srinagar district. Days later police had said the three militants killed in a gunfight at Nowgam in Srinagar outskirts on March 16, were involved in the Sameer’s killing. UNI MJR ACL0912
