Kupwara (Jammu Kashmir) [India], September 14 (ANI): Traffic has been halted after a suspicious bag was found by the security forces in the Union Territory's Handwara-Kupwara highway.

The security forces are on alert at the highway in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara. Following the incident, traffic was suspended in the area.

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Earlier today, the Indian Army along with the local police continued their operation against a group of two-three terrorists hiding at the spot after three officers lost their lives in an encounter in Anantnag, officials said.

According to the Indian Army, the security forces including Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police are being provided support by small quadcopters and larger drones to keep an eye on the entire area.

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The Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen Rajeev Ghai and Rashtriya Rifles’ Victor Force commander Maj Gen Balbir Singh have already visited the encounter site to boost the morale of troops in operations, officials said.

An Indian Army Colonel commanding a Rashtriya Rifles Unit along with a Major and a Deputy Superintendent of Police were killed in a gunfight with terrorists in the Kokernag area of Kashmir's Anantnag district on Wednesday.

The killed officers have been identified as Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonak and DSP Humayun Bhat.

"An Indian Army Colonel commanding a Rashtriya Rifles Unit along with a Major have lost their lives in an encounter in Anantnag with terrorists in Kashmir. The off-vet was commanding 19 RR," Indian Army officials said.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his grief over the death of the officers in the encounter. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)