Three terrorists were killed in an encounter in Pulwama's Chatapora area in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. This came hours after another terrorist was killed in the forests of Kupwara district.

Earlier, J&K DGP SP Vaid said 3 terrorists were trapped and exchange of fire was going on. "Encounter in Pulwama, reportedly 3 terrorists trapped, exchange of fire going on," Vaid tweeted.

"All three terrorists eliminated. Good job boys," he said in another tweet.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Thumna village after getting information about presence of terrorists there, a police official said.

He said the security forces managed to pin point the location of the terrorists but the operation to flush them out was delayed due to presence of some civilians in the house.

A gun fight broke out after all the civilians were evacuated, the official said.

At least four persons were injured in clashes between stone-pelters and security forces near the encounter site. a mob started pelting stones at the security forces engaged in the operation. Four persons received pellet or bullet injuries in the action by security forces against the stone-pelters, the police official said.

Earlier, an army official said that security forces killed one terrorist in an encounter in the forest area of Trehgam in Kupwara. Security forces had launched a search operation in the forest area of Trehgam in Kupwara following information about presence of militants there.

#JammuAndKashmir: Encounter underway between terrorists and security forces in Pulwama's Chatapora. Terrorists reportedly trapped in a residential building. More details awaited. (visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/Jzm25D58Fi

The official said that the terrorist was killed in the exchange of firing between the two sides. His identity and group affiliation was not known yet.

Meanwhile, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said that the security forces will continue their operations in Jammu and Kashmir under the rules of engagement.

Rawat's statement comes when the Valley has been witnessing a huge spurt in terror activity.

"Army continues to operate under strict rules of engagement that have been formulated and we will always continue to operate under those rules of engagement. We conduct operations in a very people friendly manner," the Army Chief said.

"Motivated reports keep coming out that Army and security forces in Kashmir are brutally carrying out their operations which aren't true," he added.

Rawat stated that the Army's aim is to go after terrorists, who are spreading violence in the state.

"Our basic purpose is to get after terrorists who are creating violence and disturbance in the Kashmir Valley. Our aim is not to cause inconvenience to the civilian population which is not indulging in arsenal violence," he said.

(With agencies)