Srinagar: At least three militants have been killed in an ongoing encounter with security forces in Shopian district of south Kashmir, police said.

"Bodies of three militants can be seen from some distance at the encounter site in Shopian district. We can say for sure if they are dead only when we retrieve the bodies," a police official said.

The exchange of fire between the remaining militants, believed to be at least two, was going on till reports last came in, he said.

A gun battle broke out between the security forces and militants in Kadder forest area falling under Keller police station in Shopian this morning after the counter insurgency forces launched a search operation.

There were no reports of any casualties among security forces so far, the official said.