An encounter broke out between security forces and militants in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, police said. The security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Chowgam area of Shopian in south Kashmir, following inputs about the presence of militants there, a police official said.

He said the search operation turned into an encounter after the hiding militants fired upon a search party of the security forces, which retaliated.  The exchange of firing was going on when last reports came in, the official said, adding that further details were awaited.