The Indian Army on Thursday said they had foiled two infiltration bids in Kupwara district of north Kashmir, killing three militants in the process.

The security forces were also engaged in an anti-militancy operation in Rajouri district of Jammu, where no casualties were reported at the time of filing of the report.

A defence spokesman in Srinagar said two operations were launched in the Tangdhar and Machhal sectors of Kupwara on Wednesday night following reports of a coordinated attempt by militants to infiltrate.

The army said one militant was killed in Tangdhar and two in Machhal sectors.

Militants have carried out a series of attempts to sneak in through both Jammu and Kashmir borders this year but while they largely succeeded in Jammu, several such bids have been foiled in the Valley.

“One terrorist has been confirmed eliminated. The operation is in progress,” the spokesman said about the Tangdhar gunfight.

On the Machhal gunfight, the army said two militants were eliminated along with the recovery of two AK Rifles, one pistol, four hand grenades and other war-like stores.

It was raining when the operations were conducted.

Police said there have been six anti-infiltration operations in Kupwara this year in which 10 militants, all foreigners, were killed.

Jammu’s additional director-general of police, Anand Jain, said a search operation was launched at 9.30pm on Wednesday in Budhal of Rajouri.

He said a contact was established at 11.45pm leading to an exchange of fire. The operation was underway when the last reports came in.

The militant killings took place even as the administration was busy making preparations for the three-phase Assembly elections next month.

Among those who have filed nominations are several separatists including three Jamaat-e-Islami members and jailed activist Sarjan Barkati.

Officials said Barkati’s nomination had been rejected after he failed to produce an oath certificate. His supporters, however, claimed Barkati’s papers were deliberately rejected as the state was against his candidacy.

Barkati was a key figure in the 2016 summer agitation that had erupted following the death of Hizb commander Burhan Wani.