SRINAGAR, Oct 21: Indian security forces have shot dead five guerrillas, including two “commanders” in held Kashmir, where the defence minister is on a two-day visit, officials said on Sunday.

Three activists of the Jaish-i-Mohammad group were shot dead by counter-insurgency police and para-military forces near Tral township, 40 kilometre south of Srinagar, they said.

The slain included Kamran, the district commander of Jaish.

“This is a major set-back for Jaish in Kashmir,” an official said.

Two more Jaish men, including Farooq Habib, another commander, were shot dead by Indian army overnight in Gandoh village in the southern Doda district, 220 kilometres south of here, police said.

The two were shot dead during an encounter sparked by cordon and search operation of the security forces.

Meanwhile, two people were shot dead in Kashmir, including a source working with counter-insurgency police.

The killings coincided with the arrival of Indian defence minister, George Fernandes in Kashmir on Saturday, officials said.

Fernandes visited the Siachen glacier on Saturday, and later held meetings with the Kashmir chief minister and top army brass in Srinagar, they said. —AFP