Srinagar, March 10: Government forces shot dead three militants, including a Pakistani national, in two separate encounters in Kashmir valley on Thursday, officials said.
While two local militants were killed in a gunfight in the Pulwama district of south Kashmir, a Pakistani militant was killed in a brief shooting outside a famous Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar.
Earlier this morning, an encounter broke out at Naina Batpora village in Pulwama after the joint forces of Police, Army and Central Reserve Police Force launched a cordon-and-search operation following information about the presence of militants in the area.
"As the security forces zeroed in on the suspected spot, the hiding militants opened fire, triggering off an encounter. Two militants were killed in the ensuing gunfight," they said.
Police said both the slain were locals affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toib (LeT) militant outfit.
Inspector-General of Police, Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar, said security forces exhibited maximum restraint to ensure no damage is caused to a mosque.
“Initially, the two militants took shelter in a mosque. Later, they were holed up in a structure separate from the mosque. We took every precaution to ensure that no damage happens to the mosque," Kumar said.
Meanwhile, a Pakistani militant of "The Resistance Front" was killed in a brief shootout on the outskirts of Srinagar at Dhobi Mohalla Hazratbal.
Police identified the slain Pakistani militant as Haidar who was active for the last six months in Srinagar.
"Three militants including a Pakistani were planning to attack the police guard at the Hazratbal shrine and snatch his rifle. The fire was retaliated in which he was killed," Kumar said, adding there was no collateral damage in the shooting.
Police said searches are on for two other militants who fled from the spot.
Meanwhile, a bank guard was wounded in a suspected militant attack in Muran Chowk in Pulwama. They said the bank guard has been shifted to the hospital for treatment.
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