Pulwama encounter: One LeT, two Hizbul Mujahideen militants neutralised, no casualties

In a fierce gunbattle that ensued early morning today between security forces and militants in Avantipora in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, one Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) and two Hizbul Mujhahideen militants were neutralised.

Brigadier K Venugopal told ANI, "we consider this as a successful operation because our coordination with the police and the CRPF was brilliant and there were no civilians or defence casualties."

He said that their received a tip off that three militants had holed up inside a house in Panzgam village in Pulwama, following which the joint security team launched the operation at 12 a.m. and they cordoned off the area by 12:30 a.m.

"We offered the option of surrendering to the militants but they opened fire on our jawans instead. All the three terrorists were neutralised in the return fire and the encounter ended around 6 am. One belonged to LeT, while the other two were from HM," the Army officer said.

Three AK 47 rifles, magazines and a massive cache of ammunition was recovered from the militants.