Militants killed belonged to IS linked group

Srinagar, March 16: Two militants killed in a gunfight on the outskirts of Srinagar belonged to an Islamic State (IS) affiliated group, police said on Friday.

The gunfight took place on Thursday night in Balhama area.

A police statement said: "In the encounter... the two militants who were killed have been identified by the families as Rasiq Nabi Bhat of Tral and Shabir Dar of Awantipora."

Both were militants of Ansar Ghazwatul Hind group.

"As per police records, they had joined militancy last year... Further investigation is on," the statement said.

Prior to the gunfight, the slain militants had fired at a BJP leader's vehicle in which a security guard sustained minor injury.