Masood Azhar's nephew among 2 militants killed in Tral encounter

Srinagar:Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar's nephew was among two militants killed in an encounter, which ensued after a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched at Tral in south Kashmir district of Pulwama on Tuesday.

Arms and ammunition, including a sniper rifle, were recovered from the encounter site.A police official told UNI that following specific information about presence of militants, a joint CASO was launched by Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K police, Army and CRPF at village Chaanketaar, Tral in Pulwama on Tuesday.

However, when security forces were moving towards a particular area, militants hiding there, fired at them with automatic weapons.The security forces also retaliated ensuing in an encounter, he said, adding two militants were killed in the exchange of fire.

Bodies of both the slain militant have been recovered, he said, adding the operation was going on when the reports last came in.

He said arms and ammunition, including a sniper rifle were recovered from the encounter site, adding slain militants were responsible for the recent sniper attacks on security forces.

Meanwhile, a JeM spokesperson told a local news agency that one of the two slain militants was Azhar's nephew, Mohammad Usman.

Three security forces jawans were killed in while two others were injured in separate suspected sniper attacks in the valley.(UNI)