Militant killed in encounter in Jammu

A Hizbul Mujahideen militant was shot dead by security forces during an encounter in Kishtwar district, police said today.

On a tip-off about the presence of a group of militants, a joint team of army and police launched a search operation in the forest area of Pinjrari in Dachan, about 270 km from here, in Kishtwar district yesterday.

The militants opened fire at the security forces, who retaliated. The gunbattle between the two sides continued till late in evening.

While one militant identified as Firdous Ahmed Matto code Darkul Islam of the HM outfit was killed in the encounter, other militants managed to escape.

Security forces are trying to track down the remaining militants.