Two Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militants were killed in a night-long operation in central Kashmir’s Budgam on Wednesday.
Also read: Two LeT militants killed in Jammu and Kashmir
“Two militants were killed in the operation. One was identified as Ilyas, a Pakistani militant, and another Javed Ahmad, from south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. The role of Ilyas in highway attacks can’t be ruled out. The police are investigating his involvement”, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Vijay Kumar said.
The militants were encircled on Tuesday evening by a joint team of the security forces in Budgam’s Mouchwa area, triggering a fierce encounter. The exchange of fire was reported till late in the night.
“The operation was halted late in the night and resumed in the morning,” a police official said.
Also read: Four militants killed in Kashmir operations
The militants were hiding in a residential area. Police sources said one was believed to be a non-local.
Around 192 militants have been killed in Kashmir this year so far.
Shun violence: IGP
Mr. Kumar made a fresh appeal to the youth who had gone astray “under false narrative by anti-national elements” to surrender.
Also read: B.Tech. student-turned-militant surrenders in Pulwama district
“There is a good development this year. Eight surrenders took place during live encounters. Security forces are using every professional means during encounters to persuade trapped militants to surrender”, he said.
He also appealed to the parents to urge their youth, who have joined the militant ranks, to return back to the mainstream and lead a dignified life with their families.
