On the outskirts of Srinagar, three Laskhar-e-Taiba terrorists were shot dead by security forces in an encounter . These terrorists were involved in the killed of a sarpanch in Khonmoh.

In the early hours of morning the security forces launched a search and cordon operation in Nowgam area after they received specific inputs about the location of terrorists in the area, according to ANI.

The search and cordon operation turned into an encounter after the hiding terrorists opened fire upon the security forces.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said that, "They have been identified as Adil Teli and Saqib Tantray from Shopian. The third one most probably is Umer Teli. We have called his family for identification. All the three were local terrorists of LeT".

He added that an AK-47 and two pistols were recovered from the terrorists.

These terrorists used to carry out attacks on Panchayati Raj institution members.

The neutralisation of these terrorists was a significant success for the police. The security forces have busted all the terrorist modules involved in the recent killing of sarpanches, CRPF, etc.

“Pakistan does not want democratic process or development to continue, so they are targeting panches, sarpanches. But we are giving them a befitting reply. We are identifying them, arresting them or neutralising them in encounters,” Kumar said.

(With inputs from PTI.)