Srinagar: Security forces gunned down a militant during an ongoing encounter at Jammu and Kashmir’s Awantipora area overnight, officials said.

They said the encounter erupted at Padgampora during a cordon and search operation in the area following an input about the presence of militants.

"As the joint team of Army, Police and CRPf approached the suspected spot, the hiding militants opened fire, triggering a gunfight during which a militant was killed," a security official said.

The affiliation and the identification of the slain militant is yet to be ascertained, they said.

“The body of the killed terrorist is yet to be retrieved. Encounter in progress and further details shall follow”, police said in a tweet.