Three Hizbul Mujahideen militants were killed in an encounter in Ashmuqam area of south Kashmir's Anantnag district this afternoon.A police official told GNS that acting on a specific information about the presence of militants in Siligam village of Ashmuqam area in the district, the government forces including Special Operation Group (SOG) and army's 3 RR and CRPF cordoned off the area and launched the search operation."As the search operation was underway, the hiding militants opened fire on the joint search party triggering an encounter. The encounter ended with the killing of three local militants of Hizb," he said.
He said the slain militants were identified as Sartaj Ahmad Lone son of Ghulam Mohammad Lone resident of Wopzan, Bijbehara, Adil Ahmad Sheikh son of Fayaz Ahmad resident of Sheikh Mohalla, Bijbehara and Tanveer Ahamd Bhat son of Mubarak Ahmad Bhat resident of Baba Mohalla Bijbehara. The militants had recently joined the Hizb, he the official said.Meanwhile, the police spokesman said: "Aadil Sheikh was involved in the killing of a policeman Arif Nazir Khan of Police Station Bijbehara on June 16." He further said: "Tanveer was involved in the killing of a civilian Javid Ahamd Sofi @ Waza. Waza was killed this year on March."The police spokesman said 3 AK-47 riffles, six 6 magazines, one UBGL, 3 UBGL grenades and a pistol with magazine were recovered from the encounter site. (GNS)