Three militants killed in Kashmir encounter

Srinagar: In a major success, security forces today killed three militants in an encounter in Lolab, about 99 kms from here, in Kupwara district and recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition from them.

The encounter in Putshai area erupted when militants fired at security forces who went there on receiving specific information about the presence of the ultras, an army official said.

Three militants were killed in the encounter, he said.

A Defence spokesman said the killing of the three militants is a "major blow" to militant outfits operating in Kashmir Valley.

"It is a major blow to the terrorist outfits that security forces today eliminated three-heavily armed terrorists without causing any collateral damage," Defence spokesman Lt Col N N Joshi said.

He said a large quantity of arms and ammunition has been recovered from the militants which includes three AK 47 Rifles, three UBGL, 387 AK 47 rounds, 10 AK 47 magazines and three pouches.

The identity and group affiliation of the slain militants was yet to be ascertained, a police spokesman said.

Their bodies were handed over to local Auqaf of the village for burial after completion of legal formalities.

In another operation launched in Zudur area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district, security forces recovered a cache of war like stores including ammunition and grenades, the spokesman said.