KULGAM: Five militants were killed on Sunday in a gunfight with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district. All five ultras reportedly belonged to the Hizbul Mujahideen. Defence Ministry spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said the five were killed in Kellem village.

Following specific information about the presence of militants in Kellem village, security forces started a cordon and search operation. As the cordon tightened, militants opened fire on the search team of the security forces, trigerring a gunbattle.

Weapons and war-like stores have been recovered from the encounter site, PTI quoted an Army official as saying. Clashes between protestors and security forces broke out near the encounter site as the locals resorted to stone pelting.

A police officialsaid the law enforcing agencies were trying to restore order in the area. Mobile Internet services have been suspended as a precaution in Kulgam district.