Gunbattle between militants, security forces in Shopian

Three Hizbul Mujahideen militants, including two self-styled commanders, were killed in a gunbattle which broke out between the ultras and security forces in Shopian district of south Kashmir today. Police assisted by security forces cordoned off Naspora-Keller, 70 kms from here, this morning to flush out the militants, a police spokesman said.

Finding themselves trapped, the militants opened fire at the security force personnel, who retaliated, he said, adding in the ensuing gunbattle the trio were killed. Identity of the slain militants was being ascertained.