Three militants, one soldier killed in encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama

Three militants and a soldier were killed in a gunbattle in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Saturday, officials said.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Zadoora area of Pulwama district in south Kashmir during the night following specific information about the presence of militants there, a police official said.

He said the search operation turned into an encounter after the militants fired upon a search party of the security forces.

In the exchange of firing, three militants were killed, the official said.

Incriminating material, including arms and ammunition, was recovered from the encounter site, he added.

Srinagar-based Defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said one soldier was critically injured during the gunfight and later he succumbed to the injuries.

The operation is going on, the official said.