Two encounters broke out between security forces and terrorists in remote forest areas in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar and Udhampur districts on Sunday, officials said. They said the encounter in Kishtwar had no impact on the annual Machail Mata Yatra in the Paddar area and assured pilgrims visiting the shrine that adequate security arrangements were in place.

The gunfight in Kishtwar took place for a brief period when police assisted by the army and paramilitary forces launched a search operation in Nownatta, Naagseni Peyaas and adjoining areas following information about the movement of terrorists, the officials said. Reinforcements have been rushed to the area and an operation is underway to hunt down the terrorists who have fled deep into the forest.