J&K: Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants killed in Pulwama encounter

Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants were killed on Monday in an encounter with security forces in Jammu-Kashmir’s Pulwama district, officials said.

The two militants have been identified as Sameer Tiger and Aaqib Khan. 

An army Major and a soldier have been injured in the ongoing encounter. The injured have been evacuated to a hospital. Reports said at least 1 civilian was killed in the crossfire.

Reports said that the CRPF and army men laid siege around the Drabgam village in Pulwama early this morning after receiving information about the presence of some militants there.

They said while the security personnel was conducting searches in the area, they came under fire from the militants hiding in the area. 

Reports say that as soon as gunshots were heard, locals from the village gathered near the spot and staged protests in an attempt to break the cordon and help the militants escape. 

Locals claim that at least 12 people were injured during the protests till now and police and paramilitary forces have resorted to heavy tear smoke shelling and pellet firing to disperse the crowd. 

The militants have not been identified yet and the internet has been shut in order to prevent further flow of information.