The encounter is underway in Tikken village of Pulwama. (Express Photo by Shuaib Masoodi/File)

An encounter broke out between militants and security forces in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district Saturday morning.

A senior Police official in Pulwama told The Indian Express that the encounter started after Cordon and search operation was launched in Tikken village of Pulwama.

Exchange of fire at #Pulwama between SFs and terrorists. Area under cordon. Information is preliminary in nature.@JmuKmrPolice

— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) November 10, 2018

On Friday, a foreign Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militant was killed in an encounter between the militants and the security forces in South Kashmir’s Tral. One policeman was also injured in the gunfight.

This came days after Usman Haider, the nephew of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar, was killed in a gunfight in Tral.

Haider was allegedly involved in a string of recent sniper attacks on security personnel and his killing was a major success for the security agencies. Haider is the second nephew of Jaish chief Masood Azhar to be killed in a year. In November last year, another nephew of Azhar’s, Talha Rashid was killed in an encounter with forces in Pulwama district.

Earlier on Tuesday, two militants, including one who had previously served in the Army, were killed in an encounter in Kashmir’s Shopian district. Police said both militants were affiliated with the Hizbul Mujahideen.

This is a developing story. More details are awaited.