Srinagar, March 10 : A gunfight broke out between the security forces and militants in Kashmir early on Thursday, security officials said. The encounter started at Naina Batpora village in Pulwama district of south Kashmir after joint forces of Police, Army and Central Reserve Police Force launched a cordon-and-search operation against militants “As the security forces moved closer, the hiding militants opened fire, triggering an encounter which is underway,” they said. Security forces believe two militants are hiding in the area. On Wednesday evening, a Sarpanch Sameer Ahmad Bhat was shot dead in the outskirts of Srinagar at Khanmoh. MJR ACL1037