Security forces have retrieved the dead bodies along with arms and ammunition from the encounter spot. The identities and affiliations (if any) of the militants are still being ascertained, the police said.
"Three terrorists eliminated in the ensuing gunfight. One AK 47 rifle and two pistols were recovered. The joint operation is in progress," Army said in a brief statement.
According to a senior J&K Police officer, a joint team of Jammu and Kashmir police, 19th Battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) of Indian Army and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search-operation in Khulchohar area after the police got intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area.
J&K: Security Forces Eliminate 3 terrorists in Anantnag
The operation turned out into an encounter as the terrorists hiding in the spot opened fire on the security forces, The joint team retaliated to the firing thereby triggering off an encounter.
The security forces have stepped up their efforts in eliminating terrorism from the Kashmir Valley via its Operation 'All Out'. Over 40 terrorists have been killed in Kashmir in over 10 encounters in the last couple of months.
Also Read: Army Recovers Arms And Ammunition During Search Operation In Harwan Forest Area Of Srinagar
On June 26, three terrorists were neutralized when troops launched an operation at Chewa Ullar in Tral of the Union Territory’s Pulwama district after receiving information about the presence of terrorists in the area.