An encounter between militants and security forces started in a remote Handwara village on Monday morning in North Kashmir.
Militants and security forces were firing at each other at Malik Pora Ramhaal village in the area, according to reports.
A police spokesman said that the operation is being jointly conducted by the army's 6 Rashtriya Rifles and the police.
According to sources, the operation was conducted following a tip-off about the presence of militants in the house of Habibullah Sheikh. When the police team approached the house, it was fired upon by the militants, triggering a gunbattle. A top Lashkar-e-Toiba commander was believed to be trapped.
"An encounter is going on at Vilgam in Handwara between a joint operational party of the police, army and the militants.
A cordon and search operation was launched at Malikpora, which turned into an encounter when the militants fired upon the joint police and army team.