The two militants killed in a pre-dawn gunfight with government forces in Bijbehara village of south Kashmir include a Physiotherapist Dr Burhan-ud-Din Ganie.

The duo was killed in a nocturnal encounter with government forces after a joint of army’s 3RR and SoG launched a cordon and search operation in Baagandar Mohalla of the Town following inputs about the presence of some militants in the area.

Sources said that soon after the searches were intensified, the militants opened fire which was retaliated leading to an encounter.

The slain was identified as Burhan-ud-din Ganie son of Muhammad Sadiq Ganie, a resident of SK colony Anantnag. He was pursuing BUMS in physiotherapy; and Sabdar Amin son of Muhammad Amin, a resident of Zirora in Bijbehara. The duo, sources said, was affiliated with Hizb ul-Mujahideen,

Police in a statement said two bodies were recovered from the site of the gunfight.

A police spokesperson said that Safder was 25 years old and had joined Hizb ul-Mujahideen on 12th of May in 2017.

While Burhan alias Saifullah had was graduating in Physiotherapy and was active with Hizb since 24th of June 2018.