Militant killed in gunbattle with security forces in Shopian

Srinagar: An unidentified militant was killed when security forces opened fire to repulse an attack on their search party in Shopian district of Kashmir Valley on Saturday, police said.

A group of militants opened fire on a joint search party of Police and Rashtriya Rifles near Zainapora, 60 kms from here this afternoon, police said. Security forces retaliated to the firing and in the ensuing gunbattle, a militant was killed, police said. The firing has stopped and a search operation is in on, they said. The identity and group affiliation of the militant killed in the firing was yet to be ascertained. Security forces had moved to the area following specific information about presence of some militants, police sources said.