The exchange of gunfire in the Rainar forests area of Bandipora district has stopped after six hours while the four day long operation is still in progress.
However, the cordon is still intact in the area.
The forest is swarming with government forces who are tracking the militants who have already injured some of the personnel.
According to sources the firing has stopped, who also confided that commandos and para-troopers have been put into services in the woods to track down a group of 15 militants believed to be trapped in the forest area.
Earlier, on Saturday evening, the army launched a search operation in Rainar area when a group of militants opened fire on a patrol of 14 Rashtriya Rifles.
Sources said that the army has extended the operation to other parts of Bandipora forests areas like Bhutoo, Vewan, Sarinder, Kudara, Aragam and Ajas to track down the militant
