SRINAGAR: A militant was killed and a soldier injured in an encounter in apple township of Sopore in north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Friday, official sources said.
Mobile internet service has been suspended to prevent spread of rumours and all educational institutions closed in Sopore.
Acting on a tip-off about the presence of militants, troops of Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF launched a joint search operation at Pazalpora Dangiwacha, Sopore, in Baramulla district early this morning.
However, when the troops were sealing the area, the militants hiding there opened fire with automatic weapons, the sources said, adding that security forces also retaliated, ensuing in an encounter.
In the initial firing from militants, a soldier suffered critically injuries and has been rushed to hospital.
A militant has been killed so far and operation was going on when the reports last came in.
A police spokesman said encounter between militants and security forces was at advance stage.
Details are awaited.
On Thursday, two militants were killed in an encounter by security forces at Kreeri, Pattan, in Baramulla district.
Four more militants were killed while a soldier was martyred and another injured in two different encounters in south Kashmir Thursday evening.