Srinagar: Army on Monday claimed to have killed an unidentified militant in a gunfight at Khanpora area of Magam, Handwara in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

An army spokesperson said that the militant was killed after army’s search party of 47 RR intercepted a group of militants at Sangdi Balla, Khanpora near forest area.

After being challenged the group of militants opened fire triggering of a brief exchange of encounter, he said. In the ensuing gunfight, he said, one militant has been killed.

The body along with an AK-47 rifle was recovered, he said adding that the identity and the group affiliation of the slain is being ascertained.

The operation to trace out the other members of the group is still going on, he said.

The slain militant was buried at Reshiwari which is close to the forests in Wader area of Rajwar by members of local Auqaf committee today late in the afternoon. The body was handed over to the locals by police after completing medico-legal formalities.

A police officer also confirmed that the slain was buried at Reshwari area.

Meanwhile, a gunfight broke out near Line of Control (LoC) in Nowgam sector of Handwara late last night.

“Army’s 20 Dogra and a group of militants believed to be infiltrators exchanged fire in the area last night,” an army officer based in north Kashmir said.

He said that today morning a search operation has been launched to trace out the militants. (GNS)