Jammu: Militants on October 3 killed two pilgrims in Bhaderwah area of Doda district while they were returning after paying obeisance at Losar temple in connection the ongoing navratras, official sources said.

The sources said a group of militants, who had laid an ambush enroute, opened indiscriminate fire at a batch of devotees who were on their way back to their respective villages after the pilgrimage, killing three on the spot.

Two of the victims have been identified as Gambir Chand and Rakesh Kumar, they said, adding further details were awaited.

Meanwhile, police and security forces have been rushed to the area to deal with the situation, they added.

Meanwhile, huge quantity of explosives including nine kilograms of RDX and 14 plastic mines were seized by security forces from a militant hideout in Surankote area of Poonch district on October 3, a Defence spokesman said.

The security forces, on specific information, launched a search operation in the Surankote forest area and recovered the ammunition, the spokesman said.

However, no militant could be nabbed as they had fled leaving behind the explosives and ammunition.

Besides the RDX and plastic mines, the recoveries included five RPG rounds, five RPG boosters, 36 pika rounds, four UBGL grenades and three IED boxes, the spokesman said.

A search operation was on in the area to track down the ultras, he added.

PTI