Security forces on Thursday killed two wanted Hizbul Mujahideen militants in an exchange of fire in South Kashmir’s Shopian district, reported PTI. Two weapons were also recovered from the militants. An army official said 62 Rashtriya Rifles troops had launched a search operation in the district’s Vehil village, before a gun battle broke out between them and the militants.

The killed militants were identified as Naseer Ahmad Pandit and Inamul Haq alias Waseem Malla, reported PTI. Pandit was a former police officer who had joined the separatist group last year, the report said. He had quit his job as a security officer working for Peoples Democratic Party leader and former minister Altaf Bukhari.