Three militants were killed and an Army jawan injured during an encounter in Poonch district on Saturday, a defence spokesman said in Jammu on Saturday.

Security forces launched a search operation today afternoon, following inputs that a group of militants was moving towards the Line of Control to receive another group from across the border in the Krishna Ghatti-Mendhar sector in Poonch district, he said.

However, the ultras were intercepted by the troops en route and a fierce encounter ensued, resulting in the killing of three militants, the spokesman said.

Three AK rifles and some ammunition were recovered from the slain ultras, whose identity was being ascertained, he said.

One Army jawan of Gorkha Rifles, identified as rifleman Bal Bahadur, sustained injuries when he stepped over a mine in the area during the search operation, he said, adding that he was rushed to the command hospital at Udhampur.

Rifleman Bahadur was a part of the group which had gone to pick up the bodies of the killed militants in the area.

Search operations were going on in the area in view of reports that there could be more ultras around, he said, adding that vigil was also being increased along the LoC to thwart any possible infiltration.