Major, soldier, two militants killed in Kashmir (Second Lead)

Srinagar Aug 3 (IANS) An Indian Army Major and a soldier were killed on Thursday in Jammu and Kashmir s Shopian district in an ambush by the Hizbul Mujahideen which earlier lost two of its men to security forces in Kulgam district officials said.

The Hizbul claimed responsibility for the attack on an Army patrol in Zaipora village which left Major Kamlesh Pandey Sepoy Tanzin and Sepoy Kripal Singh injured.

"They were airlifted to a military hospital in Srinagar where Major Pandey and Sepoy Tanzin succumbed to their injuries " an official said. The militants escaped after the attack.

Earlier two Hizbul militants were killed by the security forces in Gopalpora village in Kulgam district. Two weapons were recovered from the slain militants a police officer said.

"One of the militants was involved in the murder of five policemen and two bank guards in Pombai village in Kulgam on May 1 " the officer added.

--IANS
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