Two Indian Air Force personnel were martyred in an encounter with militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district on Wednesday, 11 October. The two personnel, Sergeant Milind Kishor and Corporal Nilesh Kumar Nayar, belonged to the IAF’s Garud Force.
Two suspected LeT militants were also gunned down in the gunfight, that broke out between the security forces and militants in Hajin.
They have been identified as Ali alias Abu Maaz, a Pakistani militant, and Nasrullah Mir, a local militant.
Director General of Police (DGP) SP Vaid said these militants were involved in a number of terror attacks in which security forces personnel and civilians were killed.
At least one more personnel was injured in the encounter, police sources said.
The gun battle erupted after security forces surrounded the village early on Wednesday, following specific inputs about the presence of militants inside a house. The militants opened fire at the security forces approaching the house, triggering the encounter.
"Three personnel sustained injuries, two of whom were critical and later succumbed," police sources said.
The deaths of the IAF Garud Force personnel in the encounter is believed to be a rare instance as the two were with the Indian Army for operational training.
A police official said two AK rifles, one pistol, one hand grenade 12 AK magazines and 75 rounds were recovered from the scene of the encounter.
General officer Commanding of the Chinar Corps of the Army Lt General JS Sandhu led officers and other ranks in paying tribute to the slain IAF men.
A wreath laying ceremony was held at Badamibagh headquarters of the Army here for the soldiers where senior officers from the Army, police and IAF were present.
(With PTI inputs)
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