Srinagar, March 10: A gunfight has started between militants and joint team of police, army and CRPF at Naina Batpora area of Pulwama district in south Kashmir on Thursday.

“Encounter has started at Naina Batpora area of Pulwama. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow,” police said in a tweet.

Official sources said  that amid presence of the militants, a joint cordon-and-search operation was launched by the forces early morning. Civilians were evacuated and now contact has been established with the militants who turned down offer to surrender, a police officer said.