Militants, trooper killed in encounter

Two militants and an army man were killed in an encounter between  militants and security forces in south Kashmir's Kulgam district on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, a gunfight is underway between militants and security forces in Lam area of neighbouring Pulwama district.

A police spokesman said security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Nowbug-Kund village of Kulgam  on Tuesday  morning after receiving specific information about the presence of militants in the area.

"As the forces were conducting the searches, the militants fired upon them, triggering an encounter," he said.

In the initial firing, two army men were injured. Both of them were shifted to the army's 92-Base hospital in Srinagar. However, one of them, succumbed to his injuries.

Sources said two militants identified as Aijaz Makroo and Shamsul Viqar were killed in the retaliatory action by the forces. The operation is going on.

In Lam village of Tral,  the encounter broke out after militants fired upon a search party of security forces. A police officer said a militant hideout has been unearthed,while the search operation in the area  is still in progress.

Meanwhile, internet services were suspended across southern districts of Pulwama, Anantnag and Kulgam on Tuesday. The services were shut soon after a gunfight erupted in Tral and Kulgam areas.