A senior police official told UNI that following a tip-off about the presence of militants, troops of the Rashtriya Rifles, Special Operation Group (SOG), Jammu & Kashmir police and CRPF, launched a joint search operation at Lawdara in Bandipora, late on Sunday night.
However, when the security forces were sealing all exit points, the militants resorted to firing with automatic weapons. The troops retaliated, ensuing in an encounter, he said.
Additional security forces were rushed from nearby camps and the area was further cordoned off to foil any attempt by the militants to escape under the cover of darkness, the official added.
He said the fire fighting resumed this morning, in whicvh three militants were killed, adding that the identity of the slain ultras was being ascertained.(UNI)
