2 militants killed, 2 houses gutted in encounter

Srinagar, Jul 17: Two militants, believed to be foreigners, were killed and two houses gutted in a night-long operation in North Kashmir, official sources said today.

They said troops on specific information cordoned off village Arin, Bandipora, about 55 km from here, in north Kashmir last night.

However, when the troops were about to storm a particular house, militants hiding inside, opened fire and also hurled grenades.

The cordon around the particular house was further tightened and militants were repeatedly asked to surrender, sources said, adding militants continued firing from automatic weapons.

Troops also retaliated, sources said adding the operation was suspended late in the night because of darkness.

The encounter again ensued after a search party tried to storm the house.

Troops also fired mortar shells towards the house from where the militants were firing. Two houses were damaged in the encounter.

A defence ministry spokesman said two militants were killed in the encounter.

UNI