January 21: Police in a statement said that based on credible inputs about the presence of militants in Hapatnar area of Chrar-i-Sharif in District Budgam, a cordon and search operation was launched today 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, 03 militants were killed and the bodies were recovered from the site of encounter. Their identities and affiliations are being ascertained.
Police has registered a case and initiated investigation in the matter. Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were 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 explosives materials if any.