Encounter breaks out between security forces and militants in J-K's Pulwama

An encounter broke out between security forces and militants in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, police said. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Dangerpora area of the south Kashmir district in the early hours of Saturday following information about the presence of militants there, a police official said.

He said as the forces were conducting searches in the area, the hiding militants fired upon them. The forces retaliated, ensuing an encounter, the official said. The exchange of firing was going on and further details are awaited, he added. 

Multiple encounters have taken place in Jammu and Kashmir during the ongoing nationwide lockdown, which was imposed in late March to fight the coronavirus. Three militants were gunned down by police this week in an overnight encounter in Shopian district. That happened after the militants opened fire on a search party of security forces in Zainapora on Tuesday.

The security grid in Jammu and Kashmir has brought in a new Standard Operating Procedure to deal with Pakistan-backed terrorism during the coronavirus pandemic, one that includes a strict vigil on social media and steps taken to stop the glorification of terrorists.