Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir police on Tuesday issued the following statement after two militants and an army man were killed in southern Kashmir’s Kulgam in a gunfight.

“Based on a credible input about the presence of militants in Redwani area of district Kulgam, a cordon and search operation was launched in the midnight jointly by Police and security forces in the area.

“As the searches were going on, the search party was fired upon by the militants. The fire was retaliated leading to a gunfight. In the initial exchange of fire, one jawan of 1 RR sustained injuries. He was evacuated to the hospital where he succumbed. Besides, two men of 163 Bn CRPF sustained minor injuries in the encounter.

“In the ensuing encounter, two militants were killed and the bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. Their identities and affiliations are being ascertained.

“Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. Police has registered a case and initiated investigation in the matter.

“Citizens are requested not to venture inside the encounter zone since such an area can prove dangerous due to stray explosive materials. People are requested to cooperate with police till the area is completely sanitized and cleared of all the explosives materials if any.”