Three militants killed in Anantnag encounter

Three militants, including one who reportedly killed a policeman in Srinagar last month, were killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir's Anantnag district on Monday.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anantnag Altaf Khan said security forces launched an operation in Hakoora area of Anantnag, 60 km from here, late on Sunday night, following information about the presence of militants inside a residential house.

"The hiding militants tried to break the cordon and opened fire upon the joint team. In the retaliatory action, all the three hiding militants were killed," he said, adding the deceased belonged to Hizbul militant outfit.

The slain militants include Eesa Fazli of Srinagar and Syed Owais of Kokernag, Anantnag, while the identity of third was not known immediately.

Khan said the third militant was apparently a foreigner and his identity is being ascertained.

Fazili was pursuing B. Tech at Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University in Rajouri before joining militancy last year in August.

Police suspect he was involved in the recent killing of a police constable outside the residence of a moderate separatist leader in Soura area of Srinagar.

Fearing protests in Srinagar, authorities ordered the closure of all educational institutions in the city, while restrictions were imposed in sensitive areas.

They also suspended mobile internet services in Srinagar and south Kashmir areas, while all the board and university exams scheduled for the day have been postponed.

Reports said soon after the news about the encounter spread, civilians, mostly youths, took to the streets in some areas of Anantnag and Srinagar and started protesting.