Two militants were killed in the gunfight with forces and their bodies were recovered late in the afternoon as the forces concluded the combing operation at the Delhi Public School (DPS) in Srinagar where they had remained holed in.

The encounter ended today as the searches continued at the DPS complex  between militants and government forces in Pantha Chowk area on the outskirts of Srinagar.

A police official said that two bodies of the militants were recovered and their identity was being ascertained.

A gunfight broke out around midnight between government forces and militants hiding inside the school building.  An official said that militants took shelter inside the DPS building after attacking a CRPF vehicle on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Pantha Chowk last evening. 

At least three army men, including an officer, were injured in a gunfight after the militants hiding inside the school  fired upon them.   The injured include  an officer of captain rank, he said.  

Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir police, DGP,  SP Vaid, said that the school staff and other people inside the school building were safely evacuated.   On Saturday a CRPF officer was killed and two other troopers injured in the ambush claimed by Lashkar-e-Toiba militant outfit.  The school building was cordoned off and searches were started by a joint party of army, SOG and CRPF.   “The exchange of fire began around midnight,” said the official.  

Also, government forces early Sunday resorted to mortar shelling to target militants who have taken cover inside the school building.    “The exchange of firing between forces and militants began at around 12.30 am and is going on intermittently,” a police official said.   

Meanwhile, restrictions under Section 144 have been imposed in the area. “The exchange of firing between forces and militants began at around 12.30 am and is going on intermittently,” a police official said. 

Fearing protests by the locals near the site of the encounter, the district administration in Srinagar imposed restrictions under from Ram Munshibagh to Sempora with immediate effect, last evening.

Defence PRO, Col Rajesh Kalia, said that the two militants were kiled in the encounter, while the serach operation was in progress. From the possesion of the slain militants 2 AK 47 rifles and some ammunition was also recovered.

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