3 militants killed in south Kashmir gunbattle

Three militants were killed on Thursday evening when security forces tracked a group of militants in south Kashmir's Pulwama district. Preliminary reports suggest that the army and the police rushed to Buchoo area of Tral town, 40 km away from Srinagar, on late Thursday afternoon.

Three militants were killed on Thursday evening when security forces tracked a group of militants in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.

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Preliminary reports suggest that the army and the police rushed to Buchoo area of Tral town, 40 km away from Srinagar, on late Thursday afternoon.

The searching party spotted the group of militants. On being challenged, the militants and the security forces exchanged fire.

A Srinagar-based spokesman said, "Three terrorists were killed in the operation."

The militants were suspected of planning to move from Buchoo area to Laidyar area.

However, the personnel of the army 3 Rashtriya Rifles and other para-military had laid an entrapment near Buchoo area. The encounter, which lasted for half an hour, left three militants dead. The army also carried out aerial surveillance to spot the militants.

The bodies of the slain militants were handed over to the Awantipora police for the last rites.

According to police sources, the slain militants were identified as Adil Bashir Mir, a resident of Dadasara Tral, Adil Shah, a resident of Routhsana and Tariq Ahmed Parrey, a resident of Laribal Tral.

South Kashmir has witnessed a number of locals joining the militant ranks since the last year. Around 11 youth are suspected to have taken to arms in the area. Around half a dozen local militants have already been killed in south Kashmir.