Three Hizbul Mujahideen militants were killed on Thursday and two security force personnel received minor injuries during an 
encounter in Pulwama district of Kashmir, officials said.
Security forces launched a search operation at Buchoo village in Tral area of Pulwama following information about presence of militants there, they said.
The house where the ultras were hiding was cordoned off and they were asked to surrender, they said.
However, the militants refused to surrender and opened fire on the security forces, which was retaliated.
In the ensuing encounter, three militants were killed, a defence spokesman said. A police official said two security force jawans got minor injuries during the operation.
The slain militants all affiliated to Hizbul Mujahideen have been identified as Adil Mir, Adil Shah and Tariq Parray, the official said.
Three AK rifles and some ammunition have been recovered from the site of the encounter.