2 militants killed, 4 people injured in valley

Srinagar, Mar 31: Two militants were killed in a night-long operation by security forces in south Kashmir, while four people were injured in a grenade blast in downtown city last night.

A defence ministry spokesman said troops and special operation group of Jammu and Kashmir police launched a joint operation at Nowgam Shopian in South Kashmir district of Pulwama last night.

When they were sealing the area, the militants opened fire and hurled grenades. Reinforcements were rushed and exit points were sealed, he said.

The operation was suspended last night though the village remained cordoned off. With the first light this morning security forces again launched the search operation and in the ensuing encounter the two militants were shot dead. Two AK rifles and other arms and ammuntion were recovered from the spot, the spokesman said.

Last night, militants hurled a hand grenade towards security forces at Kawdara in downtown city. It missed the intended target and exploded on the roadside causing injuries to four persons, official sources said.

UNI