Srinagar, July 11 : Security forces on Monday shot dead two local militants, including a top Jaish-e-Mohammad commander, at Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

The encounter took place in the Wandakpora area during a cordon and a search operation.

“As the security forces cordoned the suspected spot, the hidden terrorists opened fire, triggering a gunfight,” an official said. “In the gunfight two terrorists were killed.”

They have been identified as Kaisar Rashid Koka a resident of Tengpora, Kaigam and Ishaq Ahmad Lone of Lelhar, Pulwama.

A police spokesman said Kaiser Koka was a categorized militant and active since year 2018.

“He was involved in several terror crime cases including attacks on Police/security forces and civilian atrocities. He was active since year 2018 and had ex-filtrated to Pakistan. After acquiring arms/ammunition and training, he infiltrated back to Kashmir valley and was active in the areas of Awantipora, Pulwama. He was involved in an IED attack at Larmoo Awantipora on May 5, 2022 in which two CRPF personnel got injured,” he said.

Police said Ishaq Lone was a hybrid militant and was also involved in several cases including attacks on Police/security forces and civilian atrocities.

Security forces recovered a US-made M-4 carbine from the encounter site along with other arms and ammunition.(UNI)