In the second major operation in the last 24 hours, a gunfight broke out on Thursday between security forces and group of militants in south Kashmir.

Preliminary reports suggest the exchange of fire between militants and security forces is on in Gaddar forest area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district, 60 km away from Srinagar.

The gunfight that started in the morning saw a huge contingent of the army and police surrounding a specific area of the forest after intelligence about the militant presence.

“Hiding militants opened fire at the search party. The operation is on,” said a police official.

A group of militants are suspected to be trapped in the area.

On Wednesday, one suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba militant was killed in north Kashmir’s Sopore area.