A fierce gunfight is underway in Shopian where security forces have surrounded a village with a group of militants holed up on Saturday evening.
Unconfirmed reports suggest two soldiers were killed and two, including a Major have been injured so far. Two militants are believed to be dead. However, no bodies have been recovered and officials have refused to confirm the casualty. A cordon and search operation was launched on Saturday evening in Awneera village. "Security forces came under fire during the search operation. The encounter site on," said a police official earlier in the day. There were reports of fierce firing going on in the area as more than three militants are believed trapped. Loud explosions were heard in the area, said locals. The police have refuted that any mosque was damaged in the encounter. Unconfirmed reports suggest that top Hizbul Mujahideen commanders are hiding in the area.
