Security forces killed three militants in two different operations on Tuesday in north Kashmir, a defence ministry spokesman said.

He said troops of 21 Rashtriya Rifles and the Special Operation Group of the Jammu and Kashmir [Images] police launched a joint operation at village Chalpora, Handwara, in the frontier district of Kupwara on Tuesday morning.

During the operation, an encounter ensued in which a militant was killed. The operation was still going on, he said.

Another operation was conducted at Wabug, Sopore, in north Kashmir district of Baramulla by 52 and 29 RR and SOG following a tip off about the presence of militants in a house.

When the security forces were about to storm the particular house, militants attacked them. The fire was returned and in the encounter, one militant was killed. One SOG jawan was injured, a police spokesman said.

He said another militant, holed up in the house, was also killed.