Three militants were killed on Thursday in an encounter with government forces in north Kashmir's Kupwara district, the army said.One more militant has been killed in the operation in north Kashmir, an army official said.He said the government forces also recovered three AK 47 rifles from the encounter site. Giving details of the operation, the official said a search operation was launched in Putshai area of Lolab in Kupwara district on Thursday morning after receiving specific information about the presence of militants in the area.He said as the search operation was going on, militants fired upon the forces resulting in the gun battle. During the gun fight three militants were killed who are believed to be non-locals.
A handout issued by Army on Thursday said that on receiving specific information about the presence of some terrorists in Putsai Village, in Lolab, Kupwara, Army and police launched a joint operation.As the Security Forces closed in towards the suspect area, they drew a heavy volume of indiscriminate fire from the cornered terrorists.“Conscious of the presence of innocent civilians who were being used as human shields by the terrorists, the Security Forces gave a very calibrated response and in the ensuing firefight killed three heavily armed militants without causing any collateral damage. Identity of the terrorists is being ascertained.” A large quantity of arms and ammunition has been recovered from the terrorists which includes three AK 47 rifles and three UBGLs besides other war like stores.” (CNS)