Srinagar: Police on Friday said that the militants slain in Shopian gunfight have been identified.

A police official said that the slain have been identified as Lateef Ahmad Dar alias Tiger, a resident of Dogripora Pulwama; Tariq Ahmad, a resident of Chitragam Shopian and Shakir Ahmad, a resident of Chotigam Shopian.

Dar was the last surviving militant of the popular “Burhan Wani group”.

The gunfight in Imam Sahib area of the south Kashmir district after government forces laid siege to the area following inputs about the presence of militants.

As the cordon and search operation was tightened, sources said, the hiding militants fired upon the forces triggering a gunfight.

During the initial exchange of fire two militants were killed, they said. The operation continued for several hours leading to the killing of another militant.

In the gunfight, the civilian youth assembled around the gunfight site pelting stones on government forces in a bid to disrupt the anti-militant operation. The government forces using pellets, bullets and tear smoke shells to disperse the protesting civilians.

Sources said that at least 20 youths have suffered bullet and pellet injuries during the clashes. They said that at least five youth have been referred to Srinagar hospitals from the twin district hospitals of Shopian and Pulwama.

The five youth have either suffered pellet or bullet injuries, they said.

Meanwhile, an army spokesperson said that the operation has concluded with the killing of three militants.