Indian Army ends Pampore operation
The Indian Army retaliated to the firing. The area has been cordoned off and search and combing operations are currently underway to flush out the militants. [Representational Image]Reuters

At least three soldiers lost their lives while two others were injured after two to three terrorists opened fire at an Indian Army convoy on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in the Pampore town of Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Saturday.

The attack took place in the Kadlabal area of the town despite security personnel being present as Road Opening Party (ROP). According to reports, terrorists on motorcycles opened fire at vehicles carrying soldiers of the Indian Army on the highway.

"In the late afternoon, we heard firing when an Army convoy was passing through town. A massive search operation is underway, and all the vehicles moving on the national highway are being checked," Manzoor Ahmad, a resident of Pampore, told the Indian Express.

According to officials, terrorists belonging to Lashkar-e-Toiba or Hizbul Mujahedeen operating in Pulwama could be behind the attack.

"Terrorists attacked on which the security forces retaliated. Public was present so couldn't fire openly, but terrorists were forced to run away," CRPF Inspector-General was quoted as saying by ANI.

The adjoining residential areas have been cordoned off by security forces.

A search operation to locate the terrorists is currently underway in Pampore which is located on the eastern side of Jhelum River on the Srinagar-Jammu highway.