This Article is From Mar 13, 2011

Sopore encounter over, 2 militants shot dead

Srinagar: The encounter in Sopore that started on Saturday, has ended with the killing of two militants. One of those militants was killed today.

The police have identified the killed militant as Waseem Ganai, the man allegedly involved in the killing of two teenage sisters, Arifa and Akhter, in Sopore in January. One militant was killed yesterday.

The killing of the two sisters had sparked widespread condemnation from across the political parties in J&K with sharp reactions from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Ganai, who had taken shelter in an underground drainage system in Muslim Peer area of Sopore, was killed in the wee hours on Sunday, officials said.

Security forces had launched a search operation in the locality yesterday after a tip-off. As they were closing in, the militants opened fire.

Some buildings were damaged during the operation and the security forces are searching through the debris.

(With PTI inputs)

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