NEW DELHI, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Indian security forces killed at least three terrorists belonging to the proscribed terror outfit "Hizbul Mujahidden" on Saturday in India-controlled Jammu and Kashmir, confirmed the local police.

The encounter between the security forces and the terrorists took place in Awantipora area in the Pulwama district. The terrorists killed were identified as Showkat Dar, Irfan War and Muzafar Sheikh.

The slain terrorists were found to be involved in terror crimes in the past, said the police, adding that arms and ammunition were recovered from their possession.

Earlier on Thursday, three terrorists and an Indian Armyman were killed in an encounter in the Pulwama district. "The slain terrorists belonged to the proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)," the local police tweeted.