J&K: Four Hizbul, LeT militants killed in clash with security forces in Shopian

"As the security forces tightened the cordon around the hold-up group, they started firing, triggering the encounter," the police officer said.

Four militants belonging to the Hizbul Mujahideen and the Lashkar-e-Taiba were killed in an overnight operation in a Jammu and Kashmir village in Shopian district, police said.

The Rashtriya Rifles, troops of special operations group (SOG) of the police and the Central Reserve Police Force brought down the terrorists in Batagund village following a tip off they received on Saturday evening.

"As the security forces tightened the cordon around the hold-up group, they started firing, triggering the encounter," the police officer said.

All four bodies have been recovered, but searches were still on.

Clashes have broken out between protesters and the security forces near the encounter site.

(With inputs from agencies.)