SRINAGAR: Three terrorists were gunned down during an encounter with security forces in J&K's Tral on Sunday, reported news agency ANI. 

Security forces had launched a cordon and search operation in Pinglish area of Tral in south Kashmir district after receiving specific intelligence input about presence of terrorists in the area, a police official said.

He said as the forces were conducting the searches, the terrorists fired upon them.

The forces retaliated, triggering an encounter, the official said.

The exchange of firing is still under way, he said.