After a brief exchange of fire, militants have managed to give slip to the security forces in Rampora Qaimoh area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district where an encounter broke out last night, officials said on Sunday.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that encounter broke out Saturday night after a joint team of Police, Army’s 1 RR and CRPF launched search operation on specific information about the presence of militants in Rampora area of Kulgam.

He said that as the joint team of forces intensified searches towards suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon the party, which was retaliated, thus triggering an encounter.

“After initial exchange of fire, no contact was established with the militants”, he said.

He said that cordon layers were tightened after initial exchange of fire, however, no militants were found during subsequent searches after which the operation was called off.