Seven persons, including three soldiers, were on Friday killed and six wounded in the continued violence in the bandh-hit Kashmir valley.

Three armymen were killed in an encounter between the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and militants at Imam Sahib Shopian in Pulwama district on Friday afternoon, police said.

RR troops cordoned off Imam Sahib on Friday morning on receiving specific information about the presence of militants in the area. As troops began searches, militants hiding in the vicinity opened fire killing three soldiers.

The troops returned the fire and unconfirmed reports said they had shot dead one militant. Reinforcements were also rushed to the spot.

A report from Kulgam said three persons, including a pro-government militant, were killed in an encounter between separatist militants and surrendered gunmen at Frisal in Anantnag district in south Kashmir.

Two civilian bystanders, including a woman, died in the crossfire, police said.

Late Friday evening, a group of militants forced their entry into a house at Shiv Sopore in Baramulla district and sprayed bullets on the inmates injuring three.

Meanwhile, life in Kashmir valley was paralysed on Friday in view of a general strike called by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference.