Anantnag, Jul 10: Three militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) were killed by security forces in an encounter in this south Kashmir district Today afternoon.

One of the slain militants has been identified as Arif Hajam, who was involved in the killing of Army Havaldar Manzoor Beigh of 162 Territorial Army (TA) on June 6, 2019, when he was on leave.

A police spokesman said this afternoon that troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a joint Cordoned and Search Operation (CASO) at Kwarigam in Ranipora area of Anantnag today. However, an encounter ensued after militants fired upon security forces when they were sealing the area.

Two militants were killed in the initial encounter, he said adding later on one more militant was gunned down. The operation was going on when the reports last came in. The militants belonging to LeT.

All roads leading to the encounter site have been sealed and additional security forces have been deployed in the adjoining villages to prevent any law and order.

Local residents told UNI over the phone that farmers who were working in their orchards and fields also rushed towards their houses and stayed indoors after the encounter broke out. (UNI)