Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants were killed in a combined Army-police operation in the Sopore area of Baramulla on Saturday.
A police spokesman said the militants were travelling in a vehicle and were “planning terror action in the Sopore area”.
“The vehicle was intercepted near Amrgarh Sopore. The terrorists lobbed a grenade and fired upon the police party. In retaliatory fire, they were killed,” the police spokesman said.
Superintendent of Police, Operation, Baramulla, Shafqat Hussain and a Sub-Inspector Mohammad Murtaza were also injured in the exchange of fire. The slain militants were identified as Azhar Khan, alias Ghazi Umar, of Kupwara and Sajad Lone of Sopore. “Both were senior commanders of the terror outfit,” said the police.
The killing sparked protests in Sopore.
Hizbul Mujahideen spokesperson Burhanuddin paid tributes to the slain militants. “Khan had quit government service to join the HM,” he said.