Srinagar:  An encounter ensued between militants and government forces on Sunday during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Tral forest in south Kashmir district of Pulwama, official sources said on Sunday.

Meanwhile, mobile internet service in the area has been suspended.

Sources said troops of Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police, CRPF and Rashitriya Rifles (RR) launched a joint search operation in the forest at Kaheel, about eight km from Tral town on Sunday morning.

However, when the forces were moving inside the woods, militants hiding opened fire, they said adding troops also retaliated and the exchange of fire continued for some time.

The firing has stopped, sources said adding additionalforces have been rushed to further tighten the cordon around the forest area.

The operation was going on when the reports last came in, they added.