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Updated: Apr 06, 2019 23:20 IST

Two militants of Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in south Kashmir’s Shopian district after a brief gunfight on Saturday. One of the militants is a M Tech student who had joined militant ranks three days ago, police said.

In the afternoon, army and police had launched a joint operation at Lasdanau Imam sahib and chased a group of militants in the orchards. Two militants were killed in the brief encounter. One of the militants was identified as Rahil Rashid Shiekh of Nuner Ganderbal. He had joined Hizbul on April 3 and his picture carrying an Ak47 was circulated on social media. The other has been identified as Bilal Ahmad of Keegam village, police added.

Defense spokesman Rajesh Kalua confirmed the killing of two militants ar Lasdanau (Shopian). “Two terrorists eliminated. Weapons and warlike stores recovered. Operation in progress,” he said.

Since Lethpora convoy attack in December 2018, army has killed 38 militants in 17 encounters across the Kashmir valley. So far, 65 militants have been killed in various operations by security forces this year.

About 57 security forces personnel – 43 CRPF personnel including those of Pulwama attack, 8 army men and 6 police personnel have been killed In various encounters and militant attacks this year. About 14 civilians have also lost their lives in various incidents of violence.