Srinagar, Jun 1: Militants trapped in a village in the central Kashmir district of Badgam escaped under the cover of darkness after a brief encounter with government forces on Thursday, official sources said.

They said on a tip-off about the presence of militants at village Pathanpora Nassulahpora, about 3 km from Badgam troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), CRPF and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police launched a joint operation at 0200 hrs.

However, when the forces were moving towards a particular area in the village, militants hiding there opened fire, they said.

Locals said an exchange of fire continued for some time in the area when the area was sealed.

Additional forces were deployed in the nearby area, they said adding this morning the encounter ended at 0630 hrs when no fresh contact was established with the militants, who had managed to escape under the cover of darkness.