Security forces on Thursday killed three separatist guerrillas in a gunfight in south Kashmir's Pulwama district."Following a specific information that a group of militants was hiding in Mir Mohalla (Dadsara) village near Tral town of Pulwama district, security forces surrounded the area on Wednesday evening," a senior police officer told IANS."As forces closed on the house where the militants were hiding, they came under heavy firing. Three militants have been killed in the resulting encounter. We have recovered three AK rifles from the possession of the slain militants, the officer added.A search is underway at the encounter site. Exact identity of the slain guerrillas is being established, the officer said.Clashes had started in the area between stone pelting protesters and the security forces immediately after the news about the gunfight spread in the area late on Wednesday.