A militant affiliated to the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) was killed in an encounter on Friday at Awantipora, 45 km south of Srinagar.
The police along with the Army and CRPF launched a search operation in the area last evening. “The militants opened fire on the search party triggering an encounter,” said the police spokesperson.
The area was subsequently sealed off in the night.
“This morning the encounter resumed in which one militant was killed,” the spokesperson added. The slain militant was identified as Showkat Ahmad Qasba of the HM outfit.
Superintendent of police Vijay Kumar said there were two militants suspected to be hiding in the area.
The killing has come at a time when the HM has called off militant activities in the wake of the floods in Kashmir. However, the security forces have stepped up operations against militants.