Five militants, including a Lashkar-e-Taiba commander, were killed in an encounter in Hanjin village of Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, the Kashmir Zone Police said.

Kashmir Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar said that one of the deceased militants, Nishaz Lone, was identified as the district commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba. Kumar added that another militant was a Pakistani.

The gunbattle began after security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Rajpora area after receiving information about the presence of militants, the police told PTI. The militants opened fire at the security forces, who then retaliated.

One soldier of the Indian Army was killed and another one was injured during the gunfight, PTI reported, citing an unidentified police officer. However, there has been no official confirmation yet.

The operation in Pulwama comes two days after three militants were killed and two soldiers were injured in a gunbattle in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, according to India Today. One militant reportedly surrendered during the operation.