The police said troops of the 22 Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF and Special Operations Group of the police surrounded a house in the Warpora locality of north Kashmir's apple rich Sopore town on Tuesday afternoon, following a tip off that a group of heavily armed terrorist were hiding inside.

"The troops in the cordon came under heavy automatic gunfire from the terrorists. The terrorists also hurled grenades at the security forces, resulting in the death of one policeman and injuries to 14 others including an assistant commandant of the CRPF.

All the injured were evacuated to hospital for treatment and the condition of at least four security men is reported to be critical.

Authorities rushed more reinforcements to tighten the cordon around the house to flush out the terrorists.

Heavy firing exchanges are continuing in the area and all exit and entry points to the locality have been sealed.

A police spokesman said one militant has been killed so far.