Two militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in an encounter in South Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday. Director General of Police SP Vaid said they had ambushed Indian Police Service officers while they were en route to Awantipora in Pulwana district. “The daring officers’ retaliatory fire killed both the terrorists,” Vaid said on Twitter.

Pulwama Senior Superintendent of Police Rayees Bhat, who was heading to Awantipora to attend a meeting along with his deputy and another officer, told Scroll.in that three militants began to fire at them while they crossed paths. Two were killed in retaliatory firing, but the third militant escaped.

While there is conflicting information on how the encounter unfolded, Bhat told Scroll.in that reports on security personnel intercepting the militants’ car were incorrect.

An official told Greater Kashmir that the police and Indian Army personnel had ambushed the three militants after receiving inputs that two militants were headed their way in a car. According to an India Today report, the Awantipora Police and 55 Rashtriya Rifles intercepted the vehicle after receiving a tip-off, and that the militants had opened fire after security personnel asked the driver to stop at a joint security post.

The police recovered arms and ammunition from the militants. Their bodies have been handed over to their next of kin, Inspector General of Police SJM Gillani said in a statement.