In Jammu and Kashmir, three militants were today killed in an encounter with security forces in Pulwama district. According to official sources Security forces launched an operation in Hanjan village in Rajpora area of Pulwama following information about presence of militants there last night.

However, when security forces were moving towards a particular area, militants opened fire at them at around 2300 hrs yesterday. Security forces also retaliated resulting in an encounter which continued throughout the night.

As all the efforts to persuade the militants to come out of the house where they were hiding and surrender failed, Security Forces today blasted the house killing all the three militants.

One AK 47 rifle, one SLR and one pistol were recovered from the spot. The deceased militants owed their allegiance to Jaish-e-Mohamamd militant outfit and have been identified as Farooq Ahmed, Showkat Ahmed and Altaf Rather.

Rather was the District Commander of the outfit. The debris of a house where the militants were hiding is being cleared and searches are going on.