Two suspected militants of the Al Badr extremist group were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday. They were identified as Zeenat Ul Islam and Shakeel Ahmad Dar, who were wanted for their involvement in several terror crimes, an official release said.

Zeenat Ul Islam has a long history of terror crimes, and became the head of the Al-Badr outfit recently, the release said.

Security forces found arms and ammunition from the site of the gunfight. An investigation is under way. Authorities asked civilians not to venture inside the area. The gunfight had taken place in Kathpora area.

Security forces had laid siege to the village on Saturday afternoon, after which the militants opened fire, Kashmir Reader reported.

Intense clashes erupted at the site of the encounter. Youths pelted security personnel with stones, and the forces responded by using tear gas, which led to further clashes. Internet services have been suspended in Anantnag and Kulgam districts following the encounter, the daily said.