Three Terrorists Killed In Encounter In Jammu And Kashmir's Shopian

Three unidentified terrorists were killed in an encounter by security forces in poll-bound Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir today, the Army said.

An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in the Imam Sahib area of Shopian following a cordon and search operation in the early hours, an Army official said.

A brief exchange of firing took place between the two sides, prompting the security forces to strengthen the cordon to prevent the terrorists from escaping.

"Three terrorists have been killed in the operation which was going on when last reports came in. War like stores and weapons have been recovered from the scene of the encounter," the Army official said.

Clashes between protestors and law enforcing personnel broke out near the encounter site after some people pelted stones at the security forces engaged in the anti-militancy operation.

It was reported that two persons sustained minor pellet injuries in the action taken by the security forces to chase away the miscreants.

According to the initial information, the terrorists were affiliated to Hizbul Mujahideen. One of the terrorists killed is believed to be Lateef "Tiger", the last surviving militant of the 10 associates of Hizbul Mujhaideen commander Burhan Wani, who was killed in an encounter in July 2016.

An official confirmation to this effect still needs to be done after proper identification process is completed.