The operation by security forces against the militants in north Kashmir's Kupwara is at the “controlling stage,” Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, S.P. Pani said on Thursday morning.
“The combing operation is on in the area. It's at the controlling stage,” Mr. Pani said in Srinagar, after the laying wreath on the mortal remains of two slain policemen.
Five militants and five security forces, including three Armymen, were killed in the encounter that started on Tuesday afternoon at Kupwara's Halmatpora belt.
The killed militants were foreigners and belonged to the Lashkar-e-Taiba, said Mr. Pani. “We have recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition. It was a very difficult operation in view of thick vegetation and open area,” he explained.
Kupwara is over 110 km north of Srinagar and is a frontier district close to the Line of Control.
