A top Pakistani militant of Lashker-e-Toiba outfit was shot dead by security forces in Poonch district on Monday.
On a tip off, special operation group assisted by security forces cordoned off Dorimahal-Saroti forest belt in Mendhar tehsil of the district around 0100 hours.
Militants fired on the police party, who replied back resulting in the gunbattle, they said, adding that in the gunbattle the top ranking Pakistani militant was killed.
The slain militant has been identified as Abu Babar, self-styled deputy divisional commander of LeT, and a resident of Peshawar town of Pakistan.
An ak rifle, two magazines and 16 rounds were recovered from the slain militant. The operation was still going on.
Defence Minister A K Antony is scheduled to visit forward locations along the LoC in Rajouri-Poonch belt of Jammu region today to review the security situation and anti-infiltration measures being taken by army along the borderline.