AMMAN, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Jordanian army killed several Islamic State (IS) militants who approached the country's border with Syria, the army said Thursday.

The Jordanian Armed Forces opened fire at a group of IS fighters on Tuesday as they were trying to reach the Jordanian borders, the army said in a statement.

The army killed many militants and forced others to return to the Syrian side, it added, without disclosing the exact number.

The army said that some IS members attempted to cross the Jordanian border after the Syrian government started shelling the militants in the areas near Al Yarmouk basin.

Jordanian army will continue to take all measures to protect the national security and prevent any members of the terrorist group from entering Jordan, the statement said.

Since 2011, Jordan has foiled several attempts by terror groups to infiltrate or smuggle weapons and drugs into the country.