Two terrorists were gunned down in a fierce early morning encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore area on Friday. According to the security forces, one jawan was also martyred during the anti-terror operation.

The encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Sopore area of Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday morning. Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Pazalpora village of Dangiwacha town in the north Kashmir district this morning after receiving specific information about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said.

He said the search operation turned into an encounter after the terrorists fired on the search party of the forces, who retaliated.

The gunfight is going on, the official said, adding further details were awaited. For security purpose, the internet services in Sopore have been blocked. A TV report stated that nine terrorists have been killed by the security forces in last 48 hours.

Earlier, tension spiked in south Kashmir after six civilians were killed and over 40 injured when an explosive went off at the site of an encounter in Kulgam's Laroo village on Sunday. Three terrorists were killed in the encounter that ended just minutes earlier.

Security forces had just retreated from the site following the encounter that started on Saturday night and ended at around 10.30 am. Soon, people rushed to the encounter site, ignoring advisories about unexploded shells at the gunfight spot. At 10.50 am, there was a huge explosion, leaving dozens injured. They were rushed to a hospital where six succumbed to their wounds.

"Civilians visited the encounter site immediately after the operation despite requests not to do so, as a thorough search needed to be done for explosives once the flames were doused. Some explosive went off, resulting in injuries," said a police spokesperson.

District development commissioner of Kulgam, Dr Shameem Ahmad Wani, said people were trying to clean the debris when the explosion took place. "The civilians weren't killed in cross-fire; the explosion happened post-encounter. They were trying to clear the debris after security forces retreated," he said.