Srinagar, April 11 -- - A fourteen year old boy who had joined militant ranks three days back was killed by joint forces of army and police in an overnight encounter in south Kashmir's Shopian district, taking the toll of killed militants to three, police said on Sunday.

State forces were engaged in an exchange of fire with militants in Hadipora area of south Kashmir's Shopian district. One militant was killed on Saturday.

Two more militants have been killed in the operation at Hadipora, a police official said.

Police said one of the slain militants identified as Faisal Gulzar Ganaie was 'newly recruited' and state forces made 'sincere efforts' to make him surrender.

"Parents also made appeals. But other militants didn't let him surre...