Riyaz Ahmad Dar, of Sethargund Kakapora, who had been active for the last eight years, and Rayees Ahmad of Larve Kakapora, who had been active for three years killed in a gun battle with government forces in the Nihama area of Pulwama Jammu Kashmir.

It is reported in the local media that the longest-surviving member of the armed opposition, along with an associate, died in a gun battle with government forces in the Nihama area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Monday local media reported.

As the joint forces intensified their search towards the suspected hideout, the hiding members of the armed opposition opened fire, triggering a prolonged gunbattle.

The army spokesperson claims that “despite being given the opportunity to surrender, the "terrorists" [members of the armed opposition]  declined,”, adding that the exchange of fire lasted for several hours, resulting in the deaths of two members of the armed opposition.

The spokesperson identified the slain as Riyaz Ahmad Dar, a resident of Sethargund Kakapora, who had been active for the last eight years, and Rayees Ahmad of Larve Kakapora, who had been active for three years.

The police chief of Jammu and Kashmir claimed that the death of the members of the armed opposition is a significant development towards achieving a violence-free Jammu and Kashmir.

The government forces operation, which began on Sunday evening and continued until Monday afternoon, resulted in the death of two members of the armed opposition yet no loss from the government side.