Srinagar, June 11(GNS): Militants managed to escape after a nocturnal gunfight which broke out between them and government forces in Pathanpora area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Thursday.Reports said a joint team of Police, Army and CRPF launched a cordon-and-search-operation in Pathanpora. As the joint team encircled the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them. The fire was retaliated by the joint team, triggering off an encounter. However, militants managed to flee taking advantage of darkness, they said. Police in a tweet had also confirmed exchange of the initial fire between militants and the joint team of forces . (GNS)