At least two terrorists were gunned down in an encounter with the security forces in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

The encounter started during a search and cordon operation in the early hours of Saturday in Nipora area of south Kashmir.

Inspector-General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar told India Today TV that two militants were killed in the ongoing operation. The identity of the slain militants was yet to be ascertained, he said.

Following a tip-off on the presence of militants in Nipora, a joint team of J&K Police, Army's 19RR and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search-operation in the area.

As the joint team approached the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them which was retaliated, triggering an encounter between the terrorists and the security forces.

Another search operation was launched by joint team of forces in Gulab Bagh Tral in Pulwama. An exchange of gunshots between militants and security forces and search operation in the area is underway.

More than 20 militants have been gunned down in this month alone.