Srinagar: A Hizbul Mujahideen militant was killed on Saturday in a gunfight with government forces in Babgund area of southern Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Reports said that in the wee hours, militants attacked an army Cassiper vehicle in Babgund area of the district. The army returned the fire leading to a brief encounter.

The militants managed to flee from the spot. However, the army instantly launched a cordon and search operation in the area to prevent militants from fleeing.

“Contact was established with the militants leading to another gunfight. In the exchange of fire one militant was killed,” official sources said.

They identified the slain militant was Shabir Ahmad from Samboora.

Two other militants managed to escape from the spot.