Kupwara: In the first major anti-terror operation in the Valley after the start of the local body elections, an encounter broke out in Handwara's Shartgund Bala on Thursday morning between terrorists and security forces.

According to ANI, two to three terrorists believed to be trapped. One policeman is said to be injured in the encounter.

In an overnight operation, Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police along with 30 Rashtriya Rifles of Indian Army at around 2:45 am cordoned off Shatgund Balla area after specific intelligence inputs about the terrorists. 

Soon after the launch of cordon and search operations, the firing started after some suspicious movement was noticed; however, the encounter broke out at around 9:30 am in the morning when terrorists fired upon the joint team of security forces.

After an hour of lull, the firing resumed at around 10:30 am when the trapped terrorists fired upon the security forces. 

Confirming the killing of two terrorists, Kashmir Police tweeted, "Two terrorists killed. Arms and ammunition recovered. Identities yet to be ascertained."

Meanwhile, the authorities have decided to close all the educational institutions in the frontier district and have snapped internet services in parts of Handwara and Kupwara