Two militants killed in a gunfight in Anantnag district in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday were affiliated to the Jaish-e-Mohammed, and were part of the February 14 suicide attack in Pulwama.

The two militants were identified as Sajjad Bhat and Tauseef Bhat. Sajjad Bhat had managed the explosive-laden vehicle that rammed into the Central Reserve Police Force convoy killing 40 personnel, while Tauseef was his handler, the Army said.

An Army soldier was killed and two soldiers were injured in the gunfight in Bijbehara area in Anantnag district, Global News Service reported. An unidentified police officer said Army jawan Anil Jaswal and two other soldiers of the 3 Rashtriya Rifles were injured and taken to a hospital. Jaswal died of his injuries.

Advertisement

Security forces had launched a cordon and search operation in Bijbehara area after receiving information on the presence of suspected militants. The militants reportedly fired at security personnel, who retaliated.

The gunfight broke out barely 24 hours after another encounter broke out in Achabal area of Anantnag district. An Army major died in the Acahbal gunfight while another Army major and two soldiers were injured. A suspected militant was also killed in the encounter.

The Congress, meanwhile, urged the Narendra Modi government and intelligence agencies to take suitable action to prevent terror attacks in future following the gunfight in Achabal and the attack on an Army convoy in Pulwama in which two Army personnel lost their lives.

“Another cowardly terror attack on an Army truck in Pulwama, left jawans and civilians injured,” Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said on Twitter. “Expect government and intelligence agencies to take suitable action to curtail future attacks.” He also paid his respect to Major Ketan Sharma who died in the gunfight in Achabal on Monday.