Security forces shot dead five unidentified militants in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district that entered the second day on Friday, officials said.

The encounter began on Thursday afternoon after security forces launched a joint operation in the Samno, Damhal Hanjipora area after receiving information about the presence of militants there.

“During the search operation, as the joint search party approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding terrorist fired indiscriminately upon them, which was retaliated effectively leading to an encounter,” the official said.

A tight cordon was maintained in the area during the night.

Officials said the operation to flush out militants, started at first light on Friday and in the ensuing encounter, five militants were killed,

“Five terrorists neutralized by Kulgam Police, Army, and CRPF. Incriminating materials recovered. Operation in final stage,” Kashmir Zone Police posted on X.

The identity and the group affiliation of the slain could not be established.

Police said the area was being sanitized.

This is the second gun battle since Wednesday in Kashmir.

On Wednesday, two militants including top launching commander Bashir Ahmed Malik were killed in a gun battle in Uri sector of Baramulla district.

Army on Thursday said Malik was active for over three decades and was an important cog in the Pakistan-enabled cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

“He was an important terrorist launch commander for terror organisations from Leepa in the north to the areas in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, opposite Rajouri in the south,” commanding officer of army’s 8 Rashtriya Rifles Colonel Raghav said during a media briefing.

(With UNI inputs)