Srinagar: In a major breakthrough, the security forces on Thursday killed five hardcore militants belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant outfits after a fierce gunbattle in Shopian district of south Kashmir.

"The several hours long encounter in Shopian district ended with the killing of five dreaded militants," Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Abdul Gani Mir told PTI.

Mir said that the slain militants were affiliated with JeM and HM militant outfits and a cache of arms and ammunition, including three AK assault rifles, one SLR and a pistol were also recovered from them.

The encounter between the militants and security forces comprising police, army and CRPF broke out in Kadder forest area falling under Keller police station in Shopian, 60 kms from here, this morning following a search operation.

Security forces had launched the operation on a specific information about the presence militants in the area.

The hiding militants opened fire on the search parties and tried to flee. However, the security forces plugged the escape routes and engaged the militants, a senior police official said earlier.

The police said the identity of the slain militants and their nationality was awaited as the search operation is still in progress.

Terming the killing of five hardcore militants in a single operation as a "prize catch", the police said the successful operation would be a "severe setback" to the militants and their designs to carry out subversive activities, especially in south Kashmir.

The latest success comes a day after security forces eliminated a Pakistani militant of Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit in Sopore area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district.

With PTI inputs