Srinagar, April 6: One of the two militants killed in a brief shootout with government forces in Imam Sahib area of Shopian district on Saturday, was a student of M.Tech and had joined militant ranks only a couple of days back, officials said.

Sources identified the slain as Rahil Rashid Sheikh of Nunner Ganderbal. Rahil, they said had joined militant ranks on April 3.

The other militant has been identified as Bilal Ahmad resident of Keegam, Shopian. Both the slain militants were affiliated with Hizb outfit.

Earlier, the gunfight broke out at Padguchi area of Imam Sahib in the southern district after joint team of army’s 44RR, CRPF and SOG launched cordon and search operation in the area.