Three militants killed in encounter in South Kashmir

Three Hizbul Mujahideen militants were killed early today in an encounter with security forces during a search operation in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.

A joint team of police and army cordoned off Panzgam village in Pulwama district after receiving specific intelligence about the presence of militants in the area, an army official said.

As the forces were conducting a search operation, the hiding militants fired upon them, triggering an encounter, the official said.

He said in the ensuing gunfight, three militants –- all locals who belonged to Hizbul Mujahideen militant group were killed.

They were identified as Ashfaq Ahmad Dar, a resident of Dogipura, Ishfaq Ahmad Baba, a resident of Tahab and Haseeb Ahmad, a resident of Brao Bandyun, he said.

Three weapons have also been recovered from the encounter site, he added.

• Kashmir encounter
• 3 killed
• Pulwama