Security forces on Friday morning killed two terrorists of the Lashkar-e-Taiba in an encounter in Banihal. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Udhampur, Doda range, Lalitindu Mohanty, said that a joint team of police and 12 RR had launched a search operation in the higher reaches of Banihal in Ramban district after getting specific information about the movement of armed militants.Mohanty said that during the search operation, the police team established a contact with the hiding militants and challenged them to surrender. However, the militants opened indiscriminate fire, which was retaliated and led to a fierce encounter.
"After a two-hour long gun-battle, the search operation was carried out during which bodies of two militants were recovered. One of the militants was identified as Alaf Din, a resident of Banihal. The identity of the other militant has not yet been ascertained," said the senior police officer adding that "a recovery of two AK rifles and two AK magazines was made from the possession of the slain militants".