Srinagar: Encounter broke out between militants and government forces in Shirmal area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district.

Reports said that a joint team of army’s 44RR Para and SOG launched a search operation in Shirmal after having credible input about presence of some militants in the area.

As the joint team of forces intensified searches towards suspected spot the hiding militants fired upon goverment forces triggering an encounter.

A police official said that brief exchange of firing has taken place between militants and goverment forces in an orchard of Shirmal.

The officer said that firing has stopped as off now and we have started searches in the orchard as its very vast area.

All the exit routes towards the area as has been sealed off.(GNS)