Srinagar, October 30: Security forces gunned down two Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists in an encounter at Tral in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, the police said on Tuesday. One of the slain terrorists is said to be JeM chief Masood Azhar's nephew, Usman Haidar. The police also urged locals not to come close to the encounter site as there could be hidden explosives. A search operation was underway to sanitise the area.

"So far two bodies of terrorists have been recovered. They're affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed. The identities of the killed terrorists are being ascertained," Jammu and Kashmir police said. "Citizens are requested not to venture inside encounter zone it can be dangerous due to stray explosive materials," they added. Srinagar: Separatist Called Shutdown Against Six Civilian Deaths in Explosion in Kulgam District.

The gunfight broke out when the Rashtriya Rifles, the Special Operations Group of the police and the Central Reserve Police Force began a cordon and search operation in Mandoora village after getting information about the presence of militants. "As the cordon was tightened, the militants opened fire, triggering an encounter," a police officer said.

On October 21, seven civilians were killed in an explosion shortly after an encounter in Kulgam district. While the security forces had said locals rushed to the encounter site despite repeated warnings, reports claimed locals were busy dousing the flames at the house that was damaged during the encounter.

Three militants were gunned down by security forces in the encounter. The explosive belonged to slain Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the deaths, describing it as "new cycle of killings by Indian security forces".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 30, 2018 11:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).