Two militants killed in Hajin encounter

Weapons, newly launched currency notes recovered

Srinagar, Nov 22 (KNS): Two militants were killed in an encounter that raged between forces and militants in Bonikhan village of Hajin area of north Kashmir's Bandipora district on Tuesday.

According to Srinagar based defense spokesperson, Colonial Rajesh Kalia, “two militants were killed in an encounter that raged between security forces and militants in Hajin area today.”

Kalia said that following the specific information about the presence of militants in the village, the joint team launched cordon at Bonikhan area of Hajin in wee hours today.

“As the search operation was going on, the hiding militants fired on the security forces ensuing in a gunfight in which two militants were gunned down,” he said.

He said that two weapons were also recovered from the encounter site.

Meanwhile, reports said that the forces also recovered two notes of Rs 2000 (newly launched currency notes) and other cash from the encounter site.

Reports quoting police said the slain militants are foreigners and presumed to be recruits of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT). They said they are in the process of identifying the slain duo.

Reports also said that as soon as the news of the killing of two militants spread in the area, the locals took to streets and staged protest demanding the bodies of the slain militants. (KNS)

Rs 2,000 notes found on two Pakistani militants gunned down in J&K

Srinagar, November 22

Two suspected Pakistani militants were killed in gunfight in north Kashmir's Bandipora district on Tuesday.

Two weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants. The security forces also recovered two new currency notes of Rs 2,000 from the slain militants.

The gunfight erupted early in the morning, when police and army cordoned Bonikhan Mohalla in Hajin, around 30 km from here, after an input about militants' presence in the area.

“As the searches were being carried out, militants opened fire and it was retaliated triggering an encounter. In the gunfight two militants were killed,” a police officer said.

He said both the slain militants were Pakistanis and were associated with Lashkar-e-Toiba.

Security forces have stepped up anti-militancy operations across Kashmir which had remained halted during the unrest triggered by the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani.