Srinagar, Dec 29 (IANS): Four militants were killed on Saturday in a gunfight with the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district, officials said.

Defence Ministry spokesman Col. Rajesh Kalia said: "Four terrorists have been killed in Hajin Payeen village. Weapons and warlike stores have been recovered."

Some reports mentioned that the slain militants belonged to Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) outfit, although their exact identities are being ascertained.

Security forces had surrounded Hajin Payeen village after receiving information about the presence of militants there.

"As the cordon was tightened, the militants who were hiding opened fire. That triggered an encounter in which four militants have been killed," a police officer said.

The police said the encounter has ended, and advised people not to visit the site of the gunfight as there is an apprehension of some explosives being present there.

Meanwhile, clashes broke out near the gunfight site between protesters and the security forces immediately after the encounter ended.