Srinagar: An encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Aripal area of Tral in Pulwama district of south Kashmir on Saturday morning.

A joint team of Army's 42RR, 180 CRPF, and SOG Awantipora launched a cordon and search operation in Aripal after receiving credible inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area.

As the joint team intensified their search operations towards the suspected spot after firing a couple of warning shots, the hiding terrorists fired upon the security forces, triggering an encounter.

A senior police official confirmed that contact has been established with the hiding terrorists and the gunfight is going on.

As per sources, three terrorists are trapped in the encounter, and one of them is believed to be the top commander of terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen.

Meanwhile, internet services have been snapped in Pulwama and CrPC 144 has been imposed as a precautionary measure.