At least three militants entered an Army camp located along the LoC in Jammu & Kashmir and opened fire at jawans, news channels reported early this morning.

According to the latest reports, seven Army personnel were killed in a predawn attack on an Army camp in Uri area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district which is going to polls in the third phase of elections in the state on 9 December.

PTI also quoted sources as saying that apart from the seven Army men, three policemen who had rushed to the attack site have also lost their lives.

Militants carried out an attack on the army camp at Mohra in Uri Tehsil at around 3.10 am and engaged the security forces in a fierce gunbattle, police officials said.

The officials said in the exchange of firing three army jawans and two policemen were killed while three militants were also neutralised.

Reinforcements have moved in and several ambulances were seen leaving the camp. News channels report that search and combing operations are currently on.

Inspector General of Police Kashmir AG Mir, while confirming the death of militants and policemen, said the army casualties were being verified.

Army officials said there were some casualties suffered by the force but the exact numbers are being verified.

The police officials said the militants had probably infiltrated into the Valley from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir recently. "It is being investigated," they said.

PTI quoted Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar as saying, "We have killed three of them (militants) and we will eliminate the remaining.The ones who are left are trapped."

"It is possible that this has happened because of elections," he said.

Police said at least six militants had infiltrated into the Valley from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir recently.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the attack was a "desperate attempt" to disrupt peace and normalcy.

"Once again shows the desperate levels militants will go to disrupt peace and normalcy," he tweeted.

Omar said Jammu and Kashmir Police and army were responding to the attack.

"Militants have struck an army camp in North Kashmir between Baramulla and Uri. Security force casualties are feared. It's an ongoing encounter," he said.

The attack comes just four days ahead of elections in Uri and six other constituencies of the Baramulla district on December 9.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday to campaign for the BJP. Srinagar has been put on high alert.

On 2 December, Army foiled an infiltration bid in Handwara area of Kupwara district killing six militants while one army personnel was also killed. The infiltration bid was foiled even as people in Kupwara district were voting to elect their representatives.

Mohara(Uri,Baramullah district,J&K) : Militant attack on 31 field regiment Army camp, firing still on pic.twitter.com/n9SLkNdr8o — ANI (@ANI_news) December 5, 2014

With inputs from agencies