They have been identified as Naveed Bhat alias Furqan, resident of Qaimoh and Aaqib Yaseen Bhat, also a resident of Qaimoh, IANS reported. Sources said the security forces had a specific input about the presence of the militants that triggered the encounter.
A joint team of police and army conducted cordon and search operation (CASO) after which encounter between the terrorists and the security forces broke out. This is the 2nd major encounter this week.
On Wednesday (Feb 19), security forces gunned down three militants including a dreaded top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen at Awantipore in the Pulwama district of South Kashmir.
(With agency inputs)