Three martyred Jawans belonged to CRPF, while the other two were from Jammu and Kashmir police. The encounter began on Friday morning when security forces launched a search operation in the area. Two terrorists have also been killed during the encounter

SRINAGAR: Five security personnel have been martyred as an encounter with terrorists + in Babgund area of J&K's Handwara entered the third day.

Three martyred Jawans belonged to CRPF, while the other two were from J&K police, reported ANI. On Sunday morning, the third CRPF personnel succumbed to injuries.

According to report, two terrorists have also been killed during the encounter.

"Operation is almost over,final search on. We've recovered two bodies of terrorists, their identities being ascertained. The reason for prolonged operation is tough terrain along with heavy civilian population. We've lost three CRPF and two J&K Police personnel," IGP Kashmir SP Pani said.

The encounter began on Friday morning when security forces launched a search operation in the area in north Kashmir, following information about presence of militants there.

After the encounter began on Friday, there was lull in firing several times during the day, but terrorists opened fire as soon as security forces advanced towards a house where they were hiding.

After one such lull, the terrorists opened indiscriminate firing on advancing team of security forces as they were closing in, injuring nine security force personnel.

A police spokesman on Friday said four security force personnel — two cops and two CRPF personnel, including an inspector later succumbed to the injuries.

Clashes between a group of youngsters and law enforcing agencies took place near the encounter site on Friday in which several protesters were injured in the security forces' action.

A youth, identified as Waseem Ahmad Mir, who had severe injuries, was rushed to a hospital where the doctors declared him 'brought dead'.