Jammu and Kashmir: 3 militants, 1 civilian killed in Kulgam encounter

As the forces were conducting the searches, the ultras fired upon them, triggering the encounter, an official said.

A gunfight erupted between the security forces and militants on Sunday in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam police said. (PTI)

New Delhi: Three militants were killed in an encounter that broke out on Sunday between security forces and the militants and a civilian lost his life in a blast after the gunfight ended. The exchange of fire took place in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, agencies reported. As per the police officials the identity of the killed militants is being ascertained.  Following specific information about the presence of militants, Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Laroo area of Kulgam district in south Kashmir As the forces were conducting the searches, the ultras fired upon them, triggering the encounter, the official added. The police said civilians visited the encounter site after the forces withdrew from the spot. One of them lost his life when some explosive substance went off there, they said. "Civilians visited the encounter site immediately after the operation in spite of (our) request not to go there as a thorough search is to be made for explosives once flames douse. They did not listen and visited the spot immediately after the forces withdrew. "Some explosive substance went off, resulting in injuries to civilians. One civilian namely Ubaid Laway, a resident of Laroo, died in the incident," the police official added SSP of Kulgam, Harmeet Singh said when the encounter was going on that the exchange of fire started yesterday. He said that the terrorists were hiding inside a house. After the encounter concluded, DGP Dilbag Singh said: “The encounter concluded just now and I have been told that three terrorists were neutralised in it. The operation is being wound up. Their identity is yet to be ascertained.” This year the security forces have washed out 183 militants so far while 97 security personnel have martyred.

#UPDATE Encounter in Kulgam's Larro area: Three terrorists have been killed in the encounter. #JammuAndKashmir

— ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2018