Encounter between security forces, militants in Shopian

A heavy exchange of fire took place between militants and security forces inside a forest area in the Shopian district of south Kashmir on Saturday.

The encounter broke out when police assisted by Rashtriya Rifles launched a search operation in the Drinard forest area of Heirpora, 60 km from here, following information about the presence of militants, a police officer said.

He said the gunbattle lasted several hours but there was no report of any casualty on either side so far. “The firing has stopped from both sides and a search operation is in progress,” the officer said.