Srinagar: A fierce encounter broke out between militants and government forces in Tral area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district Thursday morning.

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The Jammu and Kashmir police tweeted: “Exchange of fire between security forces & militants at higher reaches of Tral Awantipora. Further details will follow.”Earlier reports said that a joint team of army’s 42RR and SOG of Jammu and Kashmir police launched a cordon and search operation in Gulshanpora area of the township.

As the joint team of forces intensified searches, the hiding militants fired upon government forces triggering a gunfight.

Locals said that as the news about the gunfight spread, local youths took to streets and pelted government forces with stones who resorted to aerial firing to disperse them.

The clashes were going on when this report was being filed.

Meanwhile authorities have snapped the mobile internet services in Tral and Awantipora areas of the south Kashmir district.