Srinagar: Three Lashkar-e-Toiba militants were killed in a gunfight with government forces at Binner village of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Wednesday.

Reports reaching news agency GNS said that a heavy contingent of army and SOG cordoned off the area today in the afternoon.

Official sources to GNS that a joint team of army’s 4 PARA Commandos, 46 RR, SOG and 53 bn CRPF launched a cordon-and-search operation at Binner area close to forests in outskirts of Baramulla following inputs about the presence of militants.

As the joint team of forces approached the suspected spot, the hiding militants opened fire triggering off a gunfight resulted into the killing of three militants.

An army officer said that the slain trio were affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba militants. He identified the slain as Shoaib Akhoon of Khanpora, Mosin Mushtaq of Qazihamam and Nissar Darzi of Jamia Mohalla Old Town.

A police spokesman in a statement said that the operation was launched jointly by Police and security forces based on a credible input about the presence of militants in the area.

In the ensuing encounter, three militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. Their identities and affiliations are being ascertained, he said.

“Incriminating material including arms and ammunition was recovered from the site of encounter. Police have registered a case and initiated investigation in the matter,” he said.

Following the killing of the militants, the internet services was suspended across the district. (GNS)