Anantnag, Oct 16 (UNI) Three militants were killed by security forces in an encounter which ensued during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in this south Kashmir district on Wednesday, official sources said.

This is the first CASO launched by the security forces in Kashmir valley after post-paid mobile phones were restored on Monday noon after remaining suspended for 70 days. The services were suspended on August 5, when the Centre scrapped Article 370, besides bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories.

Sources said that on a tip-off about the presence of militants at Pazalpora, Bijbehara, about 3 km from Anantnag, troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF launched a joint search operation in the wee hours at 0330 hrs on Wednesday.

However, when the exit points were being sealed, the militants hiding there, opened fire with automatic weapons, they said, adding security forces also retaliated ensuing in an encounter. 'Three militants were killed in the encounter. The house from where the ultras were firing has been blasted,' they said, adding the operation is over while the search operation is going on.

All roads leading to encounter site have been sealed and additional security forces have been deployed to prevent any demonstration. “Security forces have also been deployed in strength along Srinagar-Jammu national highway to maintain law and order,” they said.
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