Kashmiri militant shot dead in encounter with security forces

Security forces shot dead a militant in a gunfight after their foot patrol came under fire from the ultras in Pulwama district of south Kashmir on Wednesday.

An unidentified militant has been killed and the operation was on going till late evening, an army spokesman said.

Security forces launched a search operation in Rajpora area of the district, 45 km from Srinagar, after their foot patrol came under firing by ultras.

The militants fired at the patrol party of 44 Rashtriya Rifles in Rajpora, prompting the troops to retaliate. However, there was no casualty in the initial firing which lasted for a brief period, police sources said.

The sources said during the search operation, security forces established contact with the militants again, killing one of them.

Details about the identity and group affiliation of the slain militant was awaited as the operation was not yet over, they added.