Security personnel move towards the houses where the two LeT terrorists were hiding. Pic/PTI

Srinagar: Two Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terorists and a civilian were killed during a nine-hour gunbattle between the ultras and the security forces in Awantipora area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district yesterday.

The encounter broke out in Padgampora village after security forces launched a cordon and search operation following information about presence of terrorists there, a police official said. The terrorists, holed up in two adjacent houses, opened fire at security personnel and the troops retaliated, triggering a fierce gunbattle which lasted nine hours.

The slain ultras were affiliated to LeT outfit and have been identified as Jehangir Ganai and Mohammad Shafi Shergujri, the official said.

A 15-year-old civilian, Amir Nazir Wani, was also killed after he suffered a bullet wound in the neck during the cross-firing, he said.

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