Terrorists shot dead three policemen after abducting them in India's militancy-hit Jammu and Kashmir early today, the law enforcers said.

The bodies of the deceased were recovered from an orchard in Wangam area, more than a kilometre from the village the policemen were abducted from, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

The deceased were identified as two special police officers - Firdous Ahmed and Kulwant Singh - from Kapren and Heepora areas of Shopian district, and Constable Nissar Ahmed.

Police said the residents of Batagund village had chased the terrorists and urged them not to abduct the policemen but the militants fired a few shots in the air and threatened the villagers.

The terrorists had also kidnapped the brother of a police constable but he was released later.

A Twitter handle purportedly belonging to the Hizbul Mujahideen group claimed responsibility for the abduction and killing.