<p><br />The gunbattle took place when army confronted a group of heavily-armed militants at Gulab Post, 130 kms from here, when they were attempting to sneak into the valley from across the border, Senior Superintendent of Police, Kupwara, Uttam Chand said.</p>.<p>He said a massive search operation was launched in the area falling under Hatmullah three days back following information about possible attempt by militants to sneak into the valley.</p>.<p>As the search operation was in progress, militants opened heavy fire in an abortive attempt to escape and in the ensuing gunbattle, three militants and two army personnel including a major were killed, the Kupwara police chief said.</p>.<p>The name of the major was not yet known.</p>.<p>He said the search operation was still in progress and further details of the encounter are awaited. </p>
<p><br />The gunbattle took place when army confronted a group of heavily-armed militants at Gulab Post, 130 kms from here, when they were attempting to sneak into the valley from across the border, Senior Superintendent of Police, Kupwara, Uttam Chand said.</p>.<p>He said a massive search operation was launched in the area falling under Hatmullah three days back following information about possible attempt by militants to sneak into the valley.</p>.<p>As the search operation was in progress, militants opened heavy fire in an abortive attempt to escape and in the ensuing gunbattle, three militants and two army personnel including a major were killed, the Kupwara police chief said.</p>.<p>The name of the major was not yet known.</p>.<p>He said the search operation was still in progress and further details of the encounter are awaited. </p>