Jawans carry the body of Captain Pawan Kumar, who lost his life in a gunbattle with militants, at the 15 Corps headquarters at Badami Bagh in Srinagar on Sunday. (Photo: PTI)

Conglomerate of militant organisations United Jihad Council Monday declared that it will confer bravery award 'Hilal-e-Shujhat' to the three militants who were killed after a 48-hour long gun battle with Indian troopers in South Kashmir's Pampore town.

Spokesperson UJC Syed Sadaqat Hussain said that organisation Chief Syed Salahuddin convened a special meeting to offer glorious tribute to the three slain militants. He said that Syed Salahuddin while lauding the role and boldness of these militants said that India should read clear writing on the wall. He said all the three militants fought valiantly. "The attacks on the Indian forces will be intensified and our militants will continue to target Indian establishments," he said.

"We thank people of Jammu and Kashmir especially the people of Pampore for expressing solidarity and standing by them (militants) during the gun fight with Indian troopers," he said.

At least three terrorists were killed in the Pampore encounter in which five securitymen were also martyred.

The 48-hour long gunfight between a group of heavily-armed terrorists and security forces had started on Saturday when the terrorists attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) bus at Sempora (Pampore) on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

