People gather around the encounter site as security forces continue their investigations
Five Hizbul Mujahideen militants were today killed in an encounter with security forces in Ganderbal district in Kashmir.
"Five militants belonging to the Qadri Asadullah group of Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in a counter-insurgency operation in Preng area of Ganderbal in the wee hours today," a Defence spokesman said.
He said the identities of the slain militants were being ascertained.
According to police sources, troops of 24 Rashtriya Rifles and police laid an ambush near the Najwan forest in Preng area, 65 kms from Srinagar, following input about movement of the ultras.
The militants walked into the ambush in early hours today and were asked to surrender, the sources said.
However, the militants opened fire on the security forces' positions which was retaliated by the Army and police, the sources said, adding five militants were killed in the gunbattle.