Three unidentified militants were killed on Monday, 12 March, in an encounter with security forces in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Army said.
An anti-militancy operation was launched in Hakura area of Anantnag district late on Sunday night following information about the presence of militants in the area, an Army official said.
He said three militants were killed in the pre-dawn encounter with security forces.
Schools & Colleges Shut, Restrictions Imposed in Srinagar
According to ANI, schools and colleges across Srinagar were closed on Monday, in fear of protests breaking out in the city. Several restrictions have been imposed in the old Srinagar city, with high speed internet also being down.
“Pursuing credible leads of presence of militants SFs, started search in the Hakura area of Anantnag district,” a police spokesperson told Greater Kashmir.
He also added that in the midst of the search, the hiding militants fired upon the search party. “The fire was retaliated by the security forces ensuing an encounter,” he added.
In the said encounter, three militants were killed which include Eesa Fazli of Srinagar, Syed Owais of Kokernag and a third militant whose identity is being ascertained.The police spokesperson told Greater Kashmir
While the exact affiliation of the three slain militants are still unclear, police reports, says Greater Kashmir, indicate that at least one of them was involved in a recent attack on a police guard post at Soura, where a constable was killed.
“In this connection a case has been registered and investigation has been started under the relevant provisions of the law by the Police,” the police spokesperson, as reported by Greater Kashmir, also mentioned.
ANI reported that in the process of ascertaining the identity of the three militants and their affiliations, several arms and ammunition, which include AK 47 rifles, pistols and hand grenades, were recovered from the encounter site.
Police have also said that no collateral damage has taken place.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
(This is a developing story. More details are awaited.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)