In Jammu and Kashmir, five militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Gader forests of Keller area of Shopian district today. Quoting police sources AIR correspondent reports that the slain militants were affiliated with Jesh-e-Mohammad and Hizbul Mujahedeen militant outfits. On a specific tip off, security forces launched a search operation in Gader forest area in Shopian district this morning. During the searches, militants present in the forest fired upon the joint search team. Five militants were killed in gun battle which lasted for several hours. Three AK rifles, one SLR rifle and one pistol have been recovered from the encounter site. Security forces had eliminated a Pakistani militant in an encounter in Sopore yesterday.

Meanwhile, a high alert has been sounded in the state in the wake of inputs about possible attacks by Pakistan-based terror outfits on soft targets ahead of US President Barack Obama's India visit later this month.