He said the militants opened fire on security forces, who retaliated, triggering a fierce gun battle.



"Four militants were killed in the gunbattle," the official said adding the operation was still in progress. Police sources said one security force personnel sustained injuries during the operation while two civilian youth were hurt in security forces action against protestors who were trying to disrupt the anti-militancy operation.


In another encounter at Bomai in Sopore area of Baramulla district, security forces shot dead a militant, a police official said.

He said the operation was still underway when reports last came in.