Intensifying Operation All Out, security forces killed two militants in a brief gunfight at Larno area of Kokarnag in South Kashmir's Anantnag district on Tuesday.
The encounter started after security forces received a tip-off about the presence of militants in the area. Immediately a joint team of Army, CRPF and police cordoned off the area to track down the militants.
“Cordon and search operation which was launched in the forest area of Pahlipora Larnoo Kokernag in Anantnag has turned into an encounter,” tweeted Jammu and Kashmir police.
When security forces were zeroing in on the target, militants hiding in the area opened a heavy volume of fire. Forces consolidated positions and retaliated immediately. In the gunbattle, two militants were killed.
"Two militants have been killed. One of the militants has been identified as Mohammad Farhan Wani of Hizbul Mujhadeen", said an army spokesman at South Kashmir based Victor Force.
Hailing from Wangund, Kaimuh village, Farhan had joined Hizbul on June 13 last year. The body of the second militant is yet to be recovered.
This is the third militant to have been neutralised in the last 24 hours in the valley. A militant was killed in an encounter at Chadoora area of Budgam district in Central Kashmir on Monday.
Official figures reveal that more than 206 militants were killed last year, which is highest since 2010.
Figures reveal that 270 militants were killed by security forces in 2010. The figure came down to 119 in 2011. Around 84 militants were killed in 2012 followed by 100 in 2013, 110 in 2014 and 113 in 2015. Despite the unrest, security forces killed 165 ultras in 2016.
Last year more than 117 local youth joined the militant ranks in the strife-torn Kashmir valley, which is the highest in last seven years.
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