A fierce gunbattle broke out between militants and security forces in Sugoo Hendhama area of South Kashmir's Shopian district on Wednesday. Three terrorists have been killed in the encounter.

Reports said that a joint team of Police, Army's 44 RR and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search-operation in Sugoo Hendhama on Wednesday morning, which ensued in a gunbattle.

As the joint team of security forces approached the suspected spot of hiding, the terrorists fired upon them. The fire was retaliated by the joint team, triggering off an encounter.

A senior police officer confirmed to India Today TV that the exchange of fire between the joint team and the terrorists started early morning.

This is third encounter in Shopian district this week. 9 militants were killed in two encounters on Sunday and Monday.

(With inputs from Shuja ul Haq, Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu)