India hits back: 24-hours after Amarnath Yatra attack, 3 Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists killed in Budgam

Three Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists were on Wednesday killed by security forces near Budgam district in Jammu and Kashmir, nearly 24 hours after terrorists attacked Amarnath  pilgrims.

Based on inputs of presence of some terrorists in a specific house, an operation was launched by troops of Rashtriya Rifles, Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Radbug village of Budgam.

The joint operation was launched at around 6:00 pm on Tuesday and at about 8.30 pm contact was established with terrorists.

The operation was halted for the night but the security forces maintained the cordon of the area to stop the militants from escaping, the official said.

He said the gun fight resumed this morning and three militants were killed. The identity and group affiliation of the slain militants is being ascertained, he added

The security forces also recovered arms and ammunition and war like stores.

Seven Amarnath pilgrims, including six women, were killed and 19 injured when terrorists attacked a bus in Kashmir's Anantnag district on Monday evening.

While five of the deceased hailed from neighbouring Gujarat, two were from Maharashtra.

(With agency inputs)