An encounter ensued between militants and security forces during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Handwara, frontier district of Kupwara in the wee hours of Thursday, a police spokesman said.
He said a CASO was launched by troops of Rashitriya Rifles, CRPF and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police at Yaroo, Handwara, in north Kashmir district of Kupwara.
All the exit points were sealed and house to house searches launched, he said, adding that when the security forces were moving towards a particular area, militants hiding there opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons.
Security forces also retaliated ensuing in an encounter, he said.
The operation was still going on when the reports last came in.
Reports said two to three militants are holed up in the area.
Meanwhile, additional security forces and state police personnel have been deployed outside the cordoned off area to prevent any demonstration. (UNI)
