Militants reportedly managed to give slip to government forces after initial exchange of fire which took place on Saturday evening in Shirmal area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district.

A top police officer told a local news agency, Global News Service (GNS), that after initial exchange of fire between militants and government forces, there was no further contact with the militants.

The search operation in the area is still underway, so far no fresh contact has been established.

It seems militants might have escaped taking advantage of darkness after initial exchange of fire, the officer added.

Yesterday, a joint team of police and army had launched cordon operation in Shirmal after receiving specific input about the presence of some militants in the area. (GNS)