An area commander of Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) militant outfit was killed in an encounter with security forces in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir early today, police said.

The encounter took place between militants and joint operation party of Rashtriya Rifles of the paramilitary forces and police in Mahore area in Reasi during the pre-dawn hours, they said.

One top LeT commander Abutalla was killed and an AK rifle with ammunition was recovered from the spot, the police said, adding that the operation was still going on.

Meanwhile, a police spokesman said the slain militant Farooq Ahmed alias Abu Tala was originally a resident of Badr area of Reasi district. The recovery also includes three magazines and 90 rounds, one Chinese grenade, one wireless set, one tape recorder with twelve cassettes and one mobile phone with two sim cards, the spokesman said.