Hizbul militant killed in encounter with security forces in J-K’s Pulwama

Police said the search operation turned into an encounter after the militant fired upon the forces who retaliated.

A Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant was Saturday killed in an encounter with security forces in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

Army soldiers during a cordon-and-search operation in Pulwama. (HT File Photo)

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Babgund area of the south Kashmir district during the night after inputs of the presence of militants in the area, a police official said.

He said the search operation turned into an encounter after the militant fired upon the forces who then retaliated.

In the ensuing gunfight, the militant was killed in the morning, the official said.

He said the slain militant has been identified as Sabir Ahmad Dar who belonged to HM outfit.

Some arms and ammunition have been recovered from the encounter site, the official said, adding the operation has been called off.