Soon after centre halts security ops for Ramzan, encounter breaks out in Shopian

The militants opened firing on an Army patrol at Jamnagri in Shopian district, the police said, adding that the Army personnel retaliated the fire which triggered the gunbattle

An encounter broke out between security forces and militants in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, police said.

Army soldiers in action outside a house where militants were hiding during an encounter. (PTI File Photo)

The militants opened firing on an Army patrol at Jamnagri in Shopian district, the police said, adding that the Army personnel retaliated the fire which triggered the gunbattle.

No casualties were reported.

This comes hours after a halt in security operations during the month of Ramzan was announced by the Centre.

Security forces have been asked not to launch operations in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of Ramzan, said home minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday, heeding Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s request a week ago.

However, implementing the halt in security operations would take some time.

Earlier in the day, security forces launched a search operation in forest area of Tral in Pulwama district following a brief exchange of firing with militants, a police official said.

He said the security forces launched a search operation as the ultras fled in thick vegetation of the forest.