A suspected militant was gunned down by the security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, said the state police. Abid, suspected to be from the Hizbul Mujahideen, was killed in the encounter between militants and security personnel.

An unidentified official told Greater Kashmir that the gunfight began after security forces cordoned off Gatipora village in Keller tehsil of Shopian following “specific inputs” of the presence of militants in the area. He said that militants hiding in the village opened fire, leading to retaliation by the security forces.

Three militants are reportedly trapped in the area, an unidentified police officer told Greater Kashmir. The operation is still under way.