Jammu and Kashmir: 7 militants killed in 3 separate encounters

Srinagar: Two more militants were killed in an encounter with the security forces in Kupwara district taking the death toll of militants to four, an official said on Monday morning.

Two suspected Pakistani militants of Lashkar-e-Taiba were killed during the operation on Sunday in the forests of Chandigam Lolab area of Kupwara.

Police said four militants including Showkat Ahmad Sheikh who was arrested and whose disclosure led to the operation was also killed in the gun battle.

"2 more terrorists including terrorist Showkat got neutralised (total 04). Incriminating materials, arms & ammunition recovered. Search going on," a police tweet said.

The operation was launched on Sunday on the disclosure of an arrested Showkat, police had said.

During the search of a hideout, the hiding militants started firing which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter, he said. In the initial exchange of fire, the arrested militant leading the search party also got trapped, the spokesman had said.

Since Sunday afternoon, seven militants have been killed in three gun battles.