Three Hizbul Mujhahideen militants were killed early on Saturday in an encounter with security forces during a search operation in south Kashmir's Pulwama district.
A joint team of police and army cordoned-off Panzgam village in Pulwama district after receiving specific intelligence about the presence of militants in the area, an army official said.
As the forces were conducting a search operation, the hiding militants fired upon them, triggering an encounter, the official said.
He said in the ensuing gunfight, three militants - all locals who belonged to Hizbul Mujhahdeen militant group were killed.
They were identified as Ashfaq Ahmad Dar, a resident of Dogipura, Ishfaq Ahmad Baba, a resident of Tahab and Haseeb Ahmad, a resident of Brao Bandyun, he said.
Three weapons have also been recovered from the encounter site, he added.
