BAGHDAD, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces killed three Islamic State (IS) militants in an operation in northern Iraq, the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service said in a statement on Monday.

Acting on intelligence reports, counter-terrorism forces "clashed with terrorists in an area in Kirkuk province, killing three IS militants," the statement said without giving further details about when and where the clash occurred.

The counter-terrorism service affirmed that its operations aimed at eliminating the remnants of the terrorist organization would continue.

While Iraq declared victory over IS in 2017, remnants of the group continue to carry out attacks against security forces and civilians in urban areas, deserts, and remote regions. ■