SRINAGAR, June 19: Indian troops shot dead three militants in occupied Kashmir on Thursday while unidentified men shot dead two Muslim civilians, a police spokesman said.

The spokesman claimed Indian forces shot dead two local militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen in Baramulla town, 55kms north of Srinagar.

The two were killed during a cordon and search operation.

In the neighbouring district of Kupwara, Indian army troops, backed by police, on Thursday shot dead a self-styled commander of the Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen, the spokesman claimed.

The encounter occurred in the Chornar forests of the district, which is near the line of control.

Police said unknown men shot dead two Muslims in the southern districts of Anantnag and Udhampur on Thursday.

“The immediate motive behind these killings could not be ascertained,” a spokesman said. —AFP