Four terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Wednesday, police said.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Melhora area of Shopian Tuesday night following information about the presence of terrorists there, a police official said.

He said the hiding terrorists opened fire at the security forces, who retaliated, triggering a gun battle.

Four terrorists were killed in the operation, the official said.

The identity and group affiliation of the slain terrorists is being ascertained, he added.