"j-k"

Polling for 31 DDC seats -- 13 in Kashmir division and 18 in Jammu division -- began at 7 am.

The security forces have seized one AK rifle and two pistols from the encounter site.

The attack took place at Singhpora in Pattan area of the district, police said.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Tikken area of Pulwama district in the early hours of the day on receiving information about the presence of terrorists.

The area has been cordoned off to nab the terrorists and both the injured were shifted to hospital.

Laiba Zabair (17) and her younger sister Sana Zabair (13), residents of Abbasspur in Kahuta Tehsil of PoK, were noticed moving into this side by Indian troops deployed along the LoC in Poonch sector.

Aneesul Islam Ganaie was shot at by the militants in Kokernag area of Anantnag district around noon, a police official said. 

There are a total of 305 candidates in the electoral fray including 166 from Kashmir division and 139 from Jammu division for DDC elections in phase 3.

According to sources, the Pakistani army also suffered numerous casualties in the "strong and effective" retaliation by the Indian troops as several of their posts were also destroyed.

The officials said cross-border firing between the two sides continued till 4.15 am on Sunday, and added that there was no report of any casualty or damage on the Indian side.

A defence official said the Indian Army immediately responded to the unprovoked firing from across the border.

The ultras opened fire on the security forces at Khushipora in Parimpora area, a police official said.

Havaldar Patil Sangram Shivaji, was critically injured in the Pakistani firing in the Lam area of Rajouri district's Nowshera sector around 1 am and later succumbed to the injuries.

Earlier, three Indian Army soldiers were killed in two separate locations in Jammu and Kashmir while foiling infiltration bids.

"All civilians are hospitalised in Mandi Hospital of Poonch district," said top Border Security Force (BSF) sources.

A defence spokesperson said militants trying to infiltrate were intercepted by a patrol party of the Army and contact with them was established.

Acting on specific information about the presence of militants in Rangreth near the old airfield here, the security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the area, a police official said.

The Resistance Front (TRF), which is believed to be a shadow group of LeT, claimed responsibility for the killings.

A top police officer said that two terrorists' bodies are visible and expressed possibility that there could be one more as searches are still underway.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Melhura in Zainapora area of Shopian on Monday evening.