A top Hizbul Mujahideen militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in Doda district, the police said on Monday.
Acting on a tip off, troops of Rashtriya Rifles and police launched a joint operation at Bagwa forest area, nearly 190 km from Jammu, on Sunday evening.
During search operation, militants opened fire on troops who retaliated. In the ensuing gunbattle, a self-styled district commander of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit Riyaz Ahmed alias Shaheen Parvez of Ramban district was killed.
An AK rifle, two magazines and two grenades were recovered from the slain militant.
The militant was active in the area since 2002.