"shopian-encounter"

A self-styled Lashkar-e-Taiba commander was killed in a joint anti-terror operation by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district. The operation, launched on July 3, continued for five days after terrorists were spotted hiding in a dense orchard

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Check Sadiq Khan area of south Kashmir district on Sunday after receiving specific inputs about the presence of militants.

The militants turned down the offer to surrender and opened firing and lobbed a grenade on the security forces, the official said.

Police said the slain militants were responsible for the killing of Havaldar Mohammad Saleem AKhoon outside his residence at Goriwan in Bijbehara area on Friday.

Security forces were engaged in an exchange of fire with militants in Hadipora area of south Kashmir's Shopian districts. One militant was killed on Saturday.

Earlier, the Kashmir Zone Police had said that efforts were being made to get two militants hiding inside a mosque in Shopian after an overnight encounter to surrender.

The encounter between security forces and terrorists started in Shopian on Thursday where terrorists are holed up inside a mosque.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Manihal area of the district following information about presence of militants there.