Encounter underway between security forces and terrorists in J-K's Shopian, Baramulla districts

An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Wednesday. A brief exchange of fire took place between the forces and the ultras at Heff Shirmal area of Shopian in South Kashmir, according to sources. However, there have been no report of any casualty so far.

The area has been cordoned off and searches are being carried out to track the terrorists. The internet services were suspended in the area when the last reports came in.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, another gunfight ensued between security forces and ultras at kalantara area of North Kashmir's Baramulla District. A search operation by the joint team of Baramulla Police, 29 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), 176 Bn CRPF, Namalnar, Kareri, Baramulla and Jammu and Kashmir troops is currently underway in and around the area.

#JammuAndKashmir: Troops of 176 Bn CRPF, SOG Kunzar and RR are conducting cordon and search operations (CASO) in Baramulla's Namalnar area. During the operation, an encounter broke out with terrorists. Intermittent firing is on. More details are awaited.

— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2019

Border skirmishes witnessed a spurt after India's preemptive air strike on Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camps in Balakot on February 26, following the February 14 Pulwama terror attack in which 42 CRPF personnel were killed and dozens of others injured.

Four civilians, including three members of a family, were killed and several others injured as Pakistan targeted dozens of villages in over 100 incidents of ceasefire violations along the LoC, especially in the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri, since then.