Security forces gunned down four militants in a fierce night-long encounter in Saidpora village in South Kashmir Shopian district.

"Troops of 44 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and special operations group (SOG) of the police surrounded a house in Saidpora village of Shopian district on Thursday night on a specific information that a group of heavily armed militants had been hiding inside it," a police spokesman said.

The spokesman said, "When challenged, the group of militants opened fire at the surrounding security forces. A fierce encounter ensued that lasted several hours. All the four militants belonging to Hizbul Mujaheedin and Al-Badr outfits were killed."

"Security forces are still busy searching the area," he said.

The house in which the militants were hiding was destroyed, according to reports.