Militant groups in the Valley suffered a major setback as 8 militants were killed in counter-insurgency operations in 2 different areas in South Kashmir.The gunfights had raged yesterday in Pampore and Shopian areas and today both these operations ended on a bloody note- killing 8 militants. Yesterday one militant each were killed in Meej Pampore and Bandapawa Shopian.Sources told News Agency KNT that 3 militants killed in Pampore are affiliated with Jaish-e-Muhammad while in Shopian five militants killed were associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba. However a police official said identities of alin militants are being ascertained.In Meej Pampore, a militant was killed yesterday but the remaining two militants had taken shelter in a mosque. “Patience & professionalism worked. No use of firing & IED. Used tear smoke shells only. Maintained sanctity of the mosque. Both militants hiding inside mosque killed: IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar tweeted.”The operations by security forces rendered a severe dent to militant groups such as the Hizbul Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Muhammad and the Lashker-e-Taiba, officials said here. (More details emerging) (KNT)