An encounter broke out between militants and forces in North Kashmir’s Messeri area of Kupwara district Friday, police said.Police sources said that both sides are exchanging a heavy gunfire.“Possibly, two to three militants are firing on the forces from a residential house,” they added. Army personnel from 41 RR, 16 Garhwal and SOG Kupwara is on job,” police said.The area has been cordoned off to stop the militants from escaping.DIG North Kashmir Gareeb Das told CNS that two to three militants are present in a residential house located on a slope near forest area of Masseri area of Chowkibal. “The search operation in the area was going on from last two days. Today contact with the militants was established. They are present in a local house and we have evacuated four to five family members safely. The operation is going on,” he said. (CNS)