Srinagar: A fierce gunfight broke out between militants and government forces in south Kashmirs Shopian district on Tuesday afternoon. Acting upon a specific input, armys 55 Rashtriya Rifles, SOG and CRPF cordoned off Hef Shermal village of the district and launched searches. As the searches were going, the militants fired upon the forces triggering an encounter, officials said, adding, the forces also retaliated. The firing continued for several hours between the two sides. A senior police official said that they suspect the presence of three local militants in the area. He said there was no firing from the militants side and forces also didnt fire. We have made lighting arrangements in the area. We wont give them any chance to escape, a senior police official said, adding, the operation is on.