In Jammu & Kashmir, the security forces launched massive combing and searches in north Kashmir's Ajar area in Bandipora district after a brief exchange of fire between militants and the security forces early morning today.<br/><br/>The gunfight erupted in the wee hours after a joint operation was launched by Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K police and Army in the area that is around 57 km from Srinagar on Bandipora-Gurez road after an input about the presence of militants.<br/><br/>Security sources told AIR correspondent that after search operation was launched the hiding militants opened fire which was retaliated, triggering a gunfight. <br/><br/>Reports said, the exchange of fire has stopped, but the search operation is underway. Two militants were believed to be hiding in the area who might have escaped after exchanging heavy fire with security forces. <br/><br/>This is the second anti-militancy operation in Bandipora during the current unrest. On September 22, an unidentified militant was killed in a gunfight at Argam Chiti-Bandi area in the district. Reports also said that security forces launched house-to-house searches in Dooru area of south Kashmir's Anantnag district in the wee hours today.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, Lt Gen JS Sandhu today took over as the 46th Corps Commander of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps. Lt Gen Satish Dua handed over the charge of 15 Corps, also called the Chinar Corps, to Lt Gen Sandhu.