Srinagar, Jan 14(ANI): The security forces gunned down two militants belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) outfit after a prolonged encounter in the Kashmir Valley on Thursday.

The 15-hour gun battle started on Wednesday in Kulgam district of South Kashmir.

Two personnel of Special Operations Group of police were also injured in the encounter.

The killed militants have been identified as Adil Pathan and Tahir Inqualabi, both residents of Rajouri District of Jammu.

According to the Kulgam Superintendent of Police, Keshav Ram, the team of joint security forces was sent after receiving specific information about the presence of militants in a house.

“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 (RR) and Border Security Forces (BSF) at the site,” Ram said.

“They fired at the militants and to which the militants also retaliated by firing back. The encounter continued whole night. Bodies of the two militants Adil Pathan and Tahir Inqualabi were recovered after the encounter ended this morning,” he added.

During the Gun battle, Surinder Singh of 62 RR and Special Police Officer Zahoor Ahmad were injured.

They were rushed to hospital where Surinder Singh succumbed to injuries. (ANI)