Security forces shot dead two Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militants and battled militants elsewhere in a sudden escalation of violence ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir, authorities said on Friday.
Police said the two militants were killed in a gun battle in Baramulla district which broke out during a cordon and a search operation at Yedipora in Pattan.
“In the ensuing encounter two terrorists were killed,” a police official said, adding the operation was still on.
Additional Director General of Police (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar said the two were locals and affiliated with Jaish.
Earlier, security forces launched an operation at Chitragam in Shopian district following an input about the presence of militants.
The encounters took place ahead of Amit Shah’s visit to the state from October 4. The Minister will address a rally in Baramulla town in the Kashmir Valley.