In the first major encounter of 2008, three terrorists, including two Pakistanis, were killed in a joint operation by the security forces in south Kashmir early Monday morning, a police spokesman said.

Troops of the 9 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), 162 Territorial Army (TA) and Special Operation Group of Jammu and Kashmir [ Images ] Police launched a joint operation at Manzgam village following a tip-off.

The spokesman said at 0830 hours, an encounter ensued after terrorists fired at the search party.

During the three-hour encounter, three terrorists were killed, he said.