Foreigner among 3 militants killed in Kashmir encounter

Srinagar, Mar 12 : Three militants, including a foreigner, were killed in a fierce encounter with security forces on Monday in south Kashmir district of Anantnag, a police spokesman said.

A search operation was launched in village Hakoora, in the wee hours by Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF following a tip-off about the presence of militants. However, when the forces were moving towards a particular area in the village, militants resorted indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons. Security forces also retaliated and in the encounter three militants were killed.

A large cache of arms and ammunition, including AK rifles, pistols and hand grenades were recovered from the slain militants. Two of the militants were identified as Eesa Fazli, a resident of Srinagar and Syed Owais of Kokernag in Anantnag, the Spokesman said. The identity of the third, reportedly a foreigner, was being ascertained.

There was no collateral damage in the encounter. One of the slain militants was involved in the recent attack on a police guard in Soura, in the city outskirts in which a police constable attained martyrdom. A case has been registered and investigation started under the relevant provisions of the law by the police.

Meanwhile, all the security forces who took part in the encounter have been withdrawn. However, additional security forces and state police personnel have been rushed to main town Anantnag and other places to maintain law and order. The situation is under control but tense, official sources said.

Meanwhile, mobile internet service in Anantnag has been suspended since early this morning as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of any rumours.