Gunfights in Shopian, Kupwara; 3 militants killed

 Three militants were killed on Thursday as two gun fights raged in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian and Kupwara districts, police said.

All three were killed in the south Kashmir encounter in Shopian district.

"Hiding militants opened fire at the security forces in Yarwan village of Keller area during a cordon and search operation. Three militants were killed in the resulting encounter," a police officer said.

The other gun battle was in Yaroo village of Langate area in Kupwara, where firing exchanges started as security forces closed down on the militants.-IANS