The mini bus was coming to Samba town from border village of Checkwal when the accident took place near Rakha Ambpatti around 8.20 am.
"Three persons lost their lives and eight others were injured in the accident," Senior Superintendent of Police, Samba, Anil Mangotra told PTI.
He said the injured were shifted to a hospital where their condition was stated to be "stable".
A police spokesman said the dead included a woman.
"We are awaiting details of their identification," he said.