3 Militants Killed, Cop Injured in Encounter Near Toll Plaza in Nagrota; Jammu-Srinagar Highway Shut

Jammu Three militants were killed and a policeman sustained injures after a group of 3-4 militants travelling in a truck opened fire at a police team at Bann toll plaza on Jammu-Srinagar national highway early Friday morning, officials said.

While one militant was gunned down immediately, others managed to flee to the adjacent forest area, Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh said. A massive search operation was launched to track down the militants. The highway has been shut following the gun battle.

Soon after the attack, two explosions were heard near the toll plaza where the encounter between militants and security forces is underway.

The group of 3-4 terrorists was on their way to Srinagar when they were intercepted by the police team at the toll plaza, the DGP said. They were a newly infiltrated group and were on their way to Srinagar, the DGP said. "It is suspected that they infiltrated from Kathua, Hiranagar border," he added.

The firing took place around 5 am when the police team stopped a Srinagar-bound truck for checking near the toll plaza in the Ban area of Nagrota, the officials said.

Police said that one of the militants has been captured and is being interrogated. "The terrorists are most likely to be foreigners

There is a possibility of at least four more terrorists hidden in the area. Area has been cordoned off and the search operation is on." IG Jammu Mukesh Singh said.

(With PTI inputs)