Handwara, July 19: A gunfight broke out between hiding militants and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district on Thursday. Acting on an information about the presence of terrorists, security forces cordoned off Batpora area of Kupwara.  "As the cordon around the hiding terrorists was tightened, they fired at the security forces, triggering the gunfight which is going on," a police officer said. The encounter is underway.

On July 9, one terrorist was also killed in an encounter in Handwara. The encounter started after terrorists fired upon the security personnel. Terrorists also hurled a grenade at Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) vehicle in Tral area of Pulwama district on the same day. As per reports, no one was injured in the attack.

Till now more than a hundred terrorists were killed in encounters, whereas more than 40 security personnel lost their lives in 2018. Terror activities have increased in the Kashmir valley after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter in July 2016. There is also a steep increase in the local terrorism since Wani’s death.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 19, 2018 05:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).