The Jammu Kashmir police has identified the two killed in Budgam encounter as residents of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
According to officials, the duo identified as Arbaaz Mir and Shahid Sheikh of Pulwama were linked with the militant outfit Lashkar e Taiba.
Quoting their ADGP for Kashmir range, Jammu Kashmir Police said, “Both the terrorists earlier escaped from a recent encounter.”
Earlier, Kashmir Zone Police had said, “On specific input, the joint area domination party of Army & Police tried to stop one suspected vehicle, terrorists fired upon and in retaliation two terrorists were killed. Arms/ammunition recovered.”
Sources told The Kashmiriyat that the duo was killed outside the house of prominent JKNC leader, Agha Ruhullah and two weapons including a pistol have been recovered from their possession.
They said that Shahid Ahmed Sheikh, son of Abdul Rashid, a resident of Kisrigam Kakapora had gone missing in the first week of January while Arbaz Ahmed Mir son of Ghulam Ahmad Mir been missing from his home since December 22, 2022.