Srinagar, Mar 14:  A militant has been killed in an encounter between government forces and militants in Rawalpora area in South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Sunday.

A senior police officer said that one militant was been killed so far while as operation is on in the area.

Earlier, on Saturday evening, an official said that a joint team of Police, Army’s 34 RR and CRPF launched a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) on specific information about the presence of militants in the area.

He said that as the joint team of forces approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding militants fired upon them, which was retaliated, triggering an encounter.

He said that due to darkness operation was suspended on Saturday evening and resumed on Sunday morning.

Meawnwhile, army said that they have recovered a US-made M-4 carbine and 36 Armour piercing rounds from the one slain militant.

Army on its official Twitter handle wrote that they have recovered US made M4 Carbine, 3, Magazines, 36 Armour piercing rounds and Rs 9600. Pertinently, a top police officer had told KNO yesterday that a Jaish-e-Muhammad commander Sajad Afgani was believed to be trapped in the Rawalpora encounter.

However, final official confirmation whether the slain militant is Sajad, is yet to come as police is ascertaining the identity.

An official said that search operation is still on in the area and may take a while. It may be recalled that M-4 US made carbines have been recovered from Jaish militants only in the past during gunfights across the valley.