Kulgam, Apr 11: After brief exchange of fire, no contact has been established with the militants in Nandimarg area of Damhal Hanjipora in Kulgam district and it is believed that militants have managed to give a slip to forces, leaving behind a Pika LMG gun and some IED material.

Officials said that after initial exchange of fire at around 1:30 am, no exchange of fire took place since then. However, they said that search operation is underway in the area to trace the militants.

Earlier, encounter broke out between government forces and militants, after a joint team of forces including 09 RR and Kulgam Police launched search operation in the area.

Officials said that as forces intensified search operation towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon forces, which was retaliated, thus triggering an encounter.

However, after initial exchange of fire, militants have either escaped or are hiding in nearby houses, they said.

At the suspected spot, a pika LMG gun besides some ammunition used for making IED has been recovered and search is underway in the area, they added

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kulgam, Gurinder Pal also confirmed that a pika gun besides some material has been recovered from the gunfight spot—(KNO)