Srinagar: A Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant was killed in a gunfight in Shirmal area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday.

“On a specific input regarding presence of (militants) in orchards of Shirmal area of Shopian, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, army’s 44RR and 178 battalion CRPF in the area,” a police spokesman told GNS in a statement.

“During the search operation as the presence of (militants) got ascertained, they were given an opportunity to surrender, however, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated, leading to an encounter.”

In the ensuing encounter, he said, one militant was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter.

He has been identified as Sajad Ahmad Bhat son of Ghulam Qadir Bhat of Badigam Aishmuqam Anantnag. He was linked with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen outfit, he said. “As per police records, he was active since 14/09/2020 and was involved in several incidents.” .

The spokesman said arms and ammunition including one pistol with magazine, one grenade and other “incriminating materials were recovered from the encounter site.”

In this connection, he said, police has registered a case under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated.