Three militants and two soldiers were killed during a gunfight in Avneera village in South Kashmir’s Shopian district, PTI reported on Sunday. Three other soldiers were also injured.
Among the militants killed were Yaseen Itoo, believed to be a top commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen. The other two were identified as Irfan ul Haq Sheikh and Umar Majid Sheikh, the police said. They, too, belonged to the Hizbul Mujahideen.
Three AK-47 rifles were taken from them.
The police said that the security forces were conducting a search operation in the area on Saturday night when the militants opened fire at them. The Army officers retaliated and a gunfight ensued.
The injured soldiers have been taken to the Army’s 92 Base Hospital for treatment.
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