Two Pakistan-based militants are dead after a shootout with Indian security forces. The attackers were members of the group Hizbul Mujahideen.
Two security officers were also injured in the 15-hour shootout.
Security forces raided the house where the militants were based following a tip-off.
[Keshav Ram, Police Superintendent, Kulgam]:
"Yesterday around 5 pm we received information that two suspicious men are sitting inside the house of Paswal. So we sent our joint team of 62 Rashtriya Rifles and Border Security Forces to the site. They fired at the militants and to which the militants also retaliated by firing back. The encounter continued whole night.“
Police also seized some equipment from the militants.
[Keshav Ram, Police Superintendent, Kulgam]:
"Besides arms and ammunitions, we have recovered a laptop, some torn money, IDs and grenades from them.”
New Delhi has put peace talks with Pakistan on hold, saying Islamabad must crack down on the militant network on its soil, which regularly carries out attacks on India.
