Srinagar: Government forces and militants exchanged fire briefly in Nowgam village of Verinag area in Anantnag district Saturday morning.

Police sources said that acting on inputs about the presence of militants in the area, a joint team of government forces launched a cordon-and-search operation.

While the cordon was being laid, contact was established with the hiding militants, they said. “There was a brief exchange of fire.”

Meanwhile, reports said that army has pressed in helicopters to locate the militants.

More to follow.