Three suspected militants were killed on Monday in a gunfight with security forces in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army said. Police found arms including AK-47 rifles, pistols and hand grenades with them, ANI reported.

Security forces began the operation in Hakura area of Anantnag late on Sunday after they got information about the presence of militants, an Army official told PTI.

“While the search was going on, the hiding militants fired upon the search party,” a police spokesman said, according to Greater Kashmir. “The fire was retaliated by the security forces ensuing an encounter.”

One of the suspected militants was allegedly involved in an attack at a police checkpost in Soura in Srinagar on February 25, in which one constable had died, the police said.

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Two of the militants were identified as Eesa Fazli from Srinagar and Syed Owais from Kokernag. An investigation is under way.

Authorities ordered all schools and colleges in Srinagar to be closed on Monday in fear of protests. Restrictions were imposed in parts of the city, and internet connectivity was slowed.