Two Hizbul militants killed in Kashmir gunfight

Two Hizbul Mujahideen guerrillas were killed in a gunfight with the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Thursday, police said.

"Two militants of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Nazneenpora village adjacent to Shopian town," a senior police officer told IANS here.

The officer said security forces had surrounded an apple orchard on specific information about the presence of militants there.

"After they were challenged to surrender, militants resorted to indiscriminate firing at the security forces triggering the gunfight," the officer said, adding the militants also managed to make their way into a nearby house while continuing to exchange fire.

However, security forces in a "surgical strike" managed to kill two militants while avoiding any damage to the house, he said.

Searches are still going on in the area.

According to the police official, these two militants, both locals, had also appeared in a video posted on the social media which showed them with Hizbul commander, Burhan who is still at large.