Three militants of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant outfit were killed Monday in a gunfight with Indian army and police in India- controlled Kashmir, defense officials said.

The gunfight broke out early morning in Shalidora-Keller village of Shopian district, 70 km south of Srinagar, the summer capital of India-controlled Kashmir.

"A search operation was carried out jointly by the Indian army and police on specific information about the presence of three militants of HM including in the village. During the search the party came under heavy fire from militants hiding in the area. The fire was retaliated triggering a gunfight. During the standoff all the three militants were killed," said Lt. Col. J. S. Brar, defense spokesman based in Srinagar.

The shootout in the area has stopped, however the search operation is still underway.

HM is the indigenous militant outfit of Kashmir active in the region since 1990.