J&K: Three militants killed in encounter with security forces in Batote area; civilian hostage rescued

At least three militants were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in Batote town of Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district on Saturday, an Army spokesperson said.

An Army jawan was also killed, while two policemen were injured in the encounter. Searches have been carried out in the area presently.

The encounter followed after a group of five armed militants took refuge inside a civilian's residence after they targeted a Territorial Army patrol in Batote area earlier in the day.

Sources told The Indian Express that the house owner, Vijar Kumar, and his family were taken hostage. The militants later released all members of the family except Kumar, a tailor. Subsequently, the house owner was rescued, Jammu and Kashmir Police confirmed on Twitter.

The area is cordoned off, and vehicular traffic along the highways and adjoining link roads has been halted.

According to sources, the militants were initially hiding near one of the quarters of the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) personnel. As the Territorial Army patrol passed through the area this morning, the militants panicked and threw two or three hand grenades at them and opened fire from their rifles, thinking they were being cordoned off.

(Inputs from The Indian Express)