Srinagar, July 5: Police on Sunday said the two militants, who were killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir district of Kulgam on Saturday, tested positive for COVID-19.
A police spokesperson said two militants were killed on Sunday in an encounter which ensued after security forces launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at Arreh in Kulgam on Saturday. A Junior Commissioned officer (JCO) and two other soldiers were injured in the encounter.
He said while carrying out the medico-legal formalities, the samples of the killed militants were taken and sent for COVID-19 test. “Today, the reports were received from Chest Disease (CD) Hospital Srinagar and both the killed militants tested positive for Coronavirus,” he said.
He said since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the safety of people from inherent risk of contracting the infection, the burial of the killed militants is carried out at designated places. “Medico-legal formalities are strictly followed in respect of such killed militants, which includes post-mortem, DNA and Covid-19 tests,” he said.
He said the bodies of the militants will be carried through protective care ambulance and buried strictly as per Covid-19 protocol at Baramulla.
