At least three militants were killed during an encounter with security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Wednesday, reported ANI. The encounter began after members of the Central Reserve Police Force, Rashtriya Rifles, Jammu and Kashmir Police and Special Operations Group undertook a joint operation in Kalaroos area.

One policeman has also been injured in the encounter, reported The Times of India. The security personnel undertook the joint operation after getting a tip-off that two to three militants were hiding in the area.

The gunfight comes as authorities have suspended the bus service across the Line of Control – between Jammu and Rawalkote – following cross-border shelling in Poonch. Pakistan troops allegedly targeted Indian posts in yet another ceasefire violation in on March 13. This is the first time the cross-LoC bus service has been suspended because of firing. Cross-border trade has also been suspended for the moment.

On March 9, a 15-year-old boy and two militants were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Pulwama district. The deceased militants were identified as Jahangir Ahmed Ganaie and Mohammad Shafi Shergujari, both affiliated to the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

State police chief SP Vaid had said that the teenager was hit by a stray bullet “after he managed to sneak up near the site’’. But locals had claimed that Amir Nazir Wani was killed after security forces opened fire on protesters. Authorities had temporarily suspended train services from Banihal to Srinagar.

Kashmir was thrown out of gear for several months in 2016 after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani’s killing in July. Schools and other establishments had remained closed for months, large-scale protests had been organised, and security forces were accused of using excessive force to quell the resistance.