Jammu & Kashmir: At least five militants were killed in an encounter which broke out in Reban area of Shopian district on Sunday morning. The identity of the militants has not been revealed as of now.


Going by the reports, a joint troop of 178 battalions of Central Reserve Police Force, Rashtriya Rifles and Special Operation Group at Zainapora launched a cordon and search operation in Shopian earlier this morning following which an encounter broke out between the troops and the terrorists. The encounter broke out around 8 am.


A leading daily quoted a Jammu & Kashmir police official who said that "a gunfight broke out after the militants opened fire at a search party of the forces." "In the exchange of fire, three militants were killed," the official said.


The encounter is still going on. No collateral damage has been reported as of now, however, mobile internet services has been suspended. detailed information is awaited.


There has been an increase in anti-militancy operations in the Valley since April. This come days after your militants were killed in an overnight encounter with the security forces in Melhora village of Shopian district in April this year.


According to the police, a joint operation was launched early in the morning on April 22 after receiving specific inputs regarding the presence of militants in the village. A joint team of Army, J&K police and CRPF cordoned off the village and started a search operation.


They then started firing at a house in which the militants were hiding. Intermittent firing continued through the night between the militants and security forces. The troops were able to storm the house in the morning killing two militants. While two militants who had managed to escape were surrounded by the troops and killed later. The four bodies along with arms and ammunition have been recovered from the spot.