Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir police on Sunday issued a statement regarding the Keelam gunfight in which five militants were killed in Kulgam district of South Kashmir.

The police spokesman said that based on a credible input about the presence of militants in Kellam area of District Kulgam, a cordon and search operation was launched today in the wee hours 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 ensuing encounter, Five militants were killed and the bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter.

Their identities and affiliations are being ascertained.

Incriminating material including arms and ammunition was recovered from the site of encounter. Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation in the matter.

Citizens are requested not to venture inside 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 explosive materials if any.