Four militants killed in two gunfights in Valley (Roundup)

Four militants were killed on Thursday in two separate gunfights with security forces in the Kashmir Valley.

The security personnel surrounded Athoora village in north Kashmir's Baramulla district after receiving information about the presence of militants there, police said.

"As the security forces surrounded the hiding militants, they fired at the security forces triggering an encounter in which two militants were killed," a police officer said.

The security forces did not suffer any casualty in the operation. The exact identity and the group affiliation of the slain militants were being ascertained although both appeared to be locals, the officer said.

In the evening, security forces started a cordon and search operation in Arwani village in south Kashmir's Anantnag district after learning that some militants were hiding there.

When challenged, the militants fired at the security forces, provoking a gun battle in which two militants were killed, police said.

"A third militant is also likely to have been killed and searches are going on to trace the body," an officer said.

Youths started stone pelting at the security forces after the Arwani village gunfight started in a bid to disrupt the operation.

Security forces used tear smoke to disperse the mob. No casualty was reported during the clashes with the protesters.

--IANS

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