Three militants, a soldier, and seven civilians were killed on Saturday after an encounter broke out between militants and security forces in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The civilians were killed when security forces allegedly opened fire to disperse an unruly crowd that had gathered near the site of an encounter.

The development comes three days after two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) affiliated terrorists were killed in an encounter that broke out in the Sopore region of Baramulla district.

The security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Sirnoo village in Pulwama district of south Kashmir after receiving specific intelligence input about the presence of three militants, including an Army deserter - Zahoor Ahmad Thoker. The search operation turned into an encounter after the militants opened fire on the security personnel.

Thoker had gone missing from an Army unit in the Gantmulla area of north kashmir's Baramulla district in July last year. He had decamped with his service rifle and three magazines and had joined the militant ranks.

The security forces said Thoker was involved in several killings in Pullman district. The identities of two other militants was being ascertained. The identity and group affiliation of the slain ultras was not known yet.

"Another blood-soaked weekend in Kashmir. 6 protestors killed, 1 soldier killed in the line of duty. Together with the 3 militants from this morning’s encounter that’s 10 dead," tweeted National Conferance leader Omar Abdullah.

"Reports of many injured at the encounter site. What a horrible day!," he added.

Stating that the administration of Governor Malik has one task & one task only - to focus on the security of the people of J&K & restore peace to a troubled valley, Abdullah said, "Sadly it appears that’s the only thing the administration is not doing. Publicity campaigns & full page ads don’t bring peace."

PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said that no probe enough to bring back the dead innocent civilians. "South Kashmir has been reeling under fear for the last 6 months.Is this what was expected from Gov rule? The admin has failed in securing civilian lives. Deepest condolences to the bereaved (sic)," she tweeted.

She said no country can win a war by killing its own people.

"How long are we going to shoulder the coffins of our youngsters? So many civilians killed today post encounter in Pulwama. No country can win a war by killing its own people. I strongly condemn these killings, and once again appeal for efforts, to stop this blood bath (sic)," Mufti said in another tweet.

Though the encounter ended in 25 minutes with the killing of the three militants, the security forces had a tough time as people started climbing onto Army vehicles, the officials told PTI.