Ahead of the flag off ceremony of the first batch of Amarnath-bound pilgrims from the Jammu-based yatri niwas troops of the Indian Army, deployed along the Line of Control in the Keran sector of North Kashmir's Kupwara district, on Tuesday gunned down two terrorist associates while they were  waiting to receive a consignment of arms and ammunition besides facilitating group of infiltrators inside the Indian territory.

The duo have been identified by the police as Majid Chechi and Samsudin Beigh.

In a written statement a police spokesman said, "It is believed they had come to receive a cache of arms and narcotics and to facilitate infiltration of terrorists in the general area of Rauta Nar at fence".

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is scheduled to flag off the first batch of pilgrims from Jammu on Wednesday. The registered pilgrims have been provided with Radio frequency Identification tags to ensure their safety. The first batch will be escorted to the base camps in Baltal and Pahalgam under tight security arrangements.

Sharing details of the incident, police spokesman said, "alert troops of the Indian army had reported suspicious   movement around 12.15 a.m close to the fence in general area India Gate – Bichu in Keran sector of Kupwara".

"The suspected movement was challenged by the Army's patrol party. On being challenged, fire was drawn on the troops from the fence side which was retaliated. On search, two individuals were found dead near the fence (inside the Indian territory). According to a police spokesman, "04 AK rifles, 08 Magazines and 02 packets of narcotics were recovered from their possession whereas 02 more AK rifles along with magazines and 04 grenades were found on the other side of fence". "War like stores have been recovered in the operation which include AK 47 & 56 rifles - 05, AK rifle Shotgun – 01, Magazines-15, 7.62mm API rds – 128 rounds, 7.62mm Ball rounds  - 177 rounds, Grenades- 04 and Narcotics - 2 packets", police spokesman added.