Three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, police said. The encounter broke out after a security team launched a search operation in Nagbal area of Shopian after being tipped off about the presence of militants, PTI reported.
Soon, militants opened fire and an encounter ensued, leading to three militants being gunned down.
A police spokesperson said the terrorists were affiliated with proscribed terror outfit LeT.
The incident comes days after two terrorist associates of LeT were apprehended from Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora and a large cache of arms and ammunition were seized from their possession.
The duo have been identified as Mohd Yousuf Wani, resident of Pethkote, Bandipora and Manzoor Ahmed Shah, resident of Bagh Bandipora, IANS reported.
During search, three pistols along with magazines, 24 9mm rounds, five hand grenades, a fake police identity card, a blanket and a fake Health Department identity card were recovered from the vehicle the terrorist associates were travelling in.
On August 22, two more terrorist associates of LeT were apprehended by a joint security force team in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district.
Incriminating materials of LeT, arms and ammunition, including two AK magazines and 54 AK rounds, were recovered from their possession.
There has been a spike in militant attacks on security personnel, infiltration bids and killings in the Union Territory.
Last week, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the security arrangements along the border with Pakistan in J&K. Shah directed security forces to continue their efforts through well-planned counter-terror operations to wipe out terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
The government had informed Parliament that till last month, as many as 118 civilians, including five Kashmiri Pandits and 16 other Hindus and Sikhs, were killed in J&K since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution in 2019.
(With inputs from agencies)