SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Three militants were killed in a fierce gunfight with government forces in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said Wednesday.

The militants were killed at village Kanji Nag near Awantipora town of Pulwama district, about 25 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

According to police officials, the gunfight triggered after militants fired upon a joint party of police and army, who were carrying out house to house searches in the area.

"Last evening a joint contingent of police and army cordoned off Rajpora village near Awantipora here on specific intelligence information suggesting presence of militants. While the searches were underway, the government forces came under heavy fire, thereby evoking an effective retaliation," a police official said. "In the stand-off three militants were gunned down."

Police said the gunfight between the two sides lasted for several hours, following which bodies of militant were retrieved.

Locals said the militants holed up inside an under construction house has suffered damage the in exchange of fire.

The gunfight triggered panic in the area.

Region's Police Chief Dilbag Singh Wednesday identified the slain militants as local cadres of Ansar Gazwatul Hind militant outfit.

"All the three were local militants," Singh said during a press conference.

Reports said hundreds of people participated in the funeral prayers of three militants at their respective villages. The mourners including women shouted pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.

Gunfights between militants and government forces take place intermittently in the region.

Meanwhile, normal life in the region remains paralysed since Aug. 5, the day Indian government abrogated Article 370 of its constitution. The move stripped Indian-controlled Kashmir of its separate flag and constitution. The Indian government also bifurcated the region into two federally governed Union Territories. Shops are closed in the region, public transport off the roads and students not attending schools in protest against New Delhi's move.

Fearing backlash, officials have imposed an unprecedented communication blockade by suspending internet and text messaging service. Mobile telephone service has been partially restored in the region. Thousands of troops remain deployed on the streets in Indian-controlled Kashmir in anticipation of street protests.

Kashmir, a Himalayan territory divided between India and Pakistan is claimed by both in its entirety. The two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.

The abrogation of special status to Indian-controlled Kashmir has heightened tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad.