Two rebels killed in Kashmir gun battle

Two separatist guerrillas were killed and four people, including two soldiers, were injured Friday in a fierce overnight gunfight in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, police said.

“Two militants were killed in the encounter with police and security forces at Kulgam,” a police official said.

After receiving information regarding the presence of armed militants in village Chenigam, police personnel along with 1 Rashtriya Rifles soldiers and 18 Bn Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers launched a cordon and search operation Thursday evening.

“The joint party was fired upon by militants triggering an encounter. Two militants have been killed in the encounter and arms and ammunition has been recovered. Identity of the slain militants is being ascertained.”

Police then said the Chenigam gunfight had ended after the two guerrillas were killed.

However, firing again started and four people were injured Friday.

A senior police said: “After the recovery of two bodies of militants from the encounter site in Chenigam village today morning, firing again started there in which two army soldiers, one CRPF trooper and a civilian got injured.”

“The injured have been rushed to the hospital and the security forces have again started the operation there.”