Five militants were killed in an operation by security forces in south Kashmir's Kulgam on Sunday.

An official said a search team comprising police, Army and CRPF personnel came under fire from militants at Keelam area in the morning. "Three militants were killed in the initial exchange of fire. Two more militants, who were holed up in houses, were also killed," said the official.

Preliminary report suggests the militants belonged to the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). An Army spokesman said a war-like store was spotted and arms and ammunition recovered from the encounter site.