A top militant of the pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen outfit was killed by security forces in mountainous forested area of Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday afternoon.
Officials said the troops of 26 Rashtriya Rifles and state police encircled an area near Thathri, about 185 km northeast of Jammu, following a tip-off about the presence of militants there.
"A contact was established with the hiding militant on Wednesday afternoon, leading to fire-fighting and subsequent killing of the militant," an official said.
The slain militant has been identified as Gul Mohammad alias Abu Hamza, who, according to the officials, was a section commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen and active since 2001.
Arms and ammunition were recovered from the killed militant.