Militant killed in J&K gun battle

A militant was killed in a gun battle between terrorists and security forces in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir early today.

Conducting searches acting on specific information, troops of Rastriya Rifles and Special Task Force (STF) launched a "surgical operation" in Patnazi area of Bonjawa belt in Kishtwar district, a senior army officer told PTI.

An encounter broke out between the militants and the security forces during the operation in which one militant was killed, the officer said adding, his identity is yet to be ascertained.

One AK rifle, grenades and ammunition were seized from the spot of the encounter.

Two Lashker-e-Toiba operatives, including 'area commander' Mohmmad Shafi Pathan, active in militancy for the last 20 years, were arrested from Patnazi during search and cordon operation in Kishtwar for the past two days.