Srinagar: At least one militants was killed during a pre-dawn gunfight which broke out between militants and government forces in Bugam Area of Chadoora in Central Kashmir’s Budgam District on Sunday.

Official sources said that one militant has been killed in ongoing operation.

The slain militant was identified as Hilal Ahmad Bhat son of Habib-Ul-llah Bhat resident of Armulla area of south kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Earlier a joint team of Army’s 53RR and SOG Budgam launched a cordon and search operation in Bugam area.

Police version:

On a credible input, a cordon & search operation was launched jointly by police and security forces at Bugam in Chadoora area of district Budgam.

During the search operation, the hiding militants fired on the search party. The fire was retaliated leading to an encounter.

In the ensuing encounter, 01 militant was killed and the body was retrieved from the site of encounter. The identity and affiliation of the killed militant is being ascertained. Moreover search continues at the site of encounter.

Incriminating material including arms & ammunition was recovered from the site of encounter.

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 explosive materials if any.