The encounter started several hours after two militants were killed in the Kulgam district of South Kashmir on Friday night. The militants had abducted a cop from Kulgam district. (File)

Two unidentified militants and one “hardcore associate of militants” were killed in an encounter with security forces in the Awantipora area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on early Saturday morning. A search operation is underway in the area.

“Two unidentified terrorists and 1 hardcore associate of terrorists killed. The search is still going on. Details shall follow,” Kashmir Police zone said on Twitter.

Earlier in the morning, J&K Police had tweeted: “Encounter has started at Goripora, Awantipora. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow.”

#AwantiporaEncounterUpdate:
2 unidentified #terrorists and 1 hardcore #associate of #terrorists killed. Search is still going on. Details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice https://t.co/T4DoLeLOhN

— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) April 25, 2020

The encounter started several hours after two militants were killed in the Kulgam district of South Kashmir on Friday night. The militants had abducted a cop from Kulgam district.

After the police received information about the abduction of a constable posted in Government Railway Police(GRP), rescue teams were sent. The police killed two militants and rescued the abducted constable. One policeman was injured in the brief gunfight with the militants.