At least three separatists were killed in a gunbattle in India-administered Kashmir Thursday as authorities lifted a curfew in the region hit by anti-India protests dpa reported
Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel JS Brar said that a joint police-army team spotted a group of militants in the Bandipora forests in the Baramulla district, 80 kilometres north of state capital Srinagar.
"The militants shot at the team drawing retaliatory fire. Three militants were killed at the end of the combat," Brar said.
Security forces were conducting search operations to track militants hiding in the forests.
Meanwhile, a security clampdown was lifted from Srinagar and major towns in the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley amid a break in strikes and demonstrations called by separatist leaders.
"The situation is peaceful in the valley and curfew has been lifted from all parts," state police chief Farooq Ahmed said.
Businesses reopened and shoppers flocked markets to stock supplies for the holy month of Ramadan that commenced Thursday.
The Kashmir valley has been rocked by violence after a teenager died on June 11 after being hit by a tear-gas shell fired by security forces. Since then 52 civilians have died in street protests and clashes with security forces.