SRINAGAR: An Indian Army soldier and three Jaish-e-Muhammad militants, including two Pakistani nationals, were killed overnight in a gunfight with the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, police said on Tuesday.
One of the three militants killed in the encounter is Talha Rasheed, nephew of Masood Azhar, a JeM spokesperson told news agency ANI. He said that the other two militants killed in the encounter are Divisional Commander Muhammad Bhai, a non-local and Waseem, a resident of Drubgam in Pulwama.
Masood Azhar is the founder of the UN-designated terrorist group.
The militants who belonged "to the same group" attacked a police check-post in Rajpora on Saturday.
A cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the slain militants.
Following intelligence inputs about the presence of militants, troops of the 44 RR, Special Operations Group (SOG) of state police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had surrounded the village on Monday evening.
As the cordon was being tightened, hiding militants fired at the joint team of security forces. The gunfight started late on Monday evening.
The civilian injured is Showkat Ahmad, who along with other protesters had clashed with the security forces to disrupt the terror operation.
Three weapons, including one AK, one M16 rifle and one pistol, besides ammunition were recovered from the encounter site, said a police spokesman.
Internet services have been suspended in Pulwama district to check the spread of rumours.
The injured were sent to hospital. Identification of the dead bodies was underway.
(With ANI and online desk inputs)