Srinagar: Three terrorists were killed and a soldier sacrificed his life in the line of duty during an encounter between the ultras and security forces in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, the Army said.

The security forces had launched a cordon-and-search operation in Sirnoo village in Pulwama district of south Kashmir on Saturday morning after receiving specific intelligence input about the presence of terrorists in the area, an Army official said.

The search operation turned into an encounter after the terrorists opened fire at the security personnel. Three terrorists and a soldier were killed in the gunfight, he said.

All the three terrorists killed in the encounter were associated with terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen. They have been identified as Zahoor Thokar, Tahir Hizbi and Hashim bhai. Zahoor was a deserter Armyman who had joined terror ranks in July last year.

In the clashes after the encounter, seven stone pelters have been killed while more than 50 were reportedly injured.

The district administration has enforced CrPC 144 in the area to avoid further collateral damage.

Massive clashes broke out between the local youth and security forces in the area following the encounter.

A senior police officer told MyNation that Internet services have been snapped in the area.