Three militants killed in gunbattle in JK

JAMMU: In a pre-dawn operation, security forces shot dead three Huji militants, believed to be behind the killing of four Border Roads Organisation (BRO) officers three months back, in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district.
 
Acting on a tip off, troops of 11 Rastriya Rifles laid a cordon in Chigam area in the district, Defence spokesman Lt Col S D Goswami said.
 
During the search operation, militants fired on the troops, he said, adding they fired back leading to a fierce gunbattle.
 
In the exchange of fire, three militants belonging to Huji, including a self-styled area commander, were killed and rifles, grenades and other explosive materials were recovered from the spot, he said.
 
He said two of the slain militants have been identified as Saifulla (area commander) and Mohammad Akbar, while the identity of the third person is yet to be ascertained.
 
"The Insas rifle which was recovered was issued to BRO jawan - Jitender, who along with three other BRO men, was killed in June," Brigadier General Staff, 16 Corps, Brig Gurdeep Singh said.
 
"We believe the slain militants belong to the group that killed 4 BRO men in the same area. We are investigating the case," he said.
      
Four BRO officers were killed by militants during an ambush in Chatroo area of the district on June 13.