Anantnag: An Army officer and two militants were killed, while three soldiers were injured in an encounter, which ensued during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in this south Kashmir district on Monday.

Official sources said that following specific information about the presence of militants at Bidroo Akingam in Anantnag, troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and the Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police, launched a joint search operation, early this morning.

‘All the exit points were sealed,’ they said, adding that when the security forces were moving towards a particular area in the village, militants hiding there opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons. 

‘The fire was returned ensuing in an encounter,’ they added.

The sources said that two militants were killed and their bodies were recovered.

However, when the security forces were searching the area, there was fresh firing from militants still hiding there. Four soldiers, including two officers, were injured in the exchange of fire, who were later shifted to the Army hospital.

They said the officer succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

‘The operation was still going on, when the reports last came in,’ they added.

Meanwhile, internet mobile service has been suspended as a precautionary measure, to prevent the spread of rumours. 

Additional security forces and state police personnel have been deployed outside the cordoned off areas to prevent demonstration, the sources said.