Jammu: A self-styled district commander of Hizbul Mujahideen was today shot dead by the security forces during an encounter in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, police sources said here.

On a specific information about the presence of militants at a hideout in Bagwa area of Doda district, troops of Rashtriya Rifle and police launched a joint search operation in the area last evening, they said.

During the search operation, militants opened fire on troops. In the ensuing encounter, one Hizb district commander identified as Mohammad Shafi alias Hashim Khan was killed today. He is the longest surviving militant as he had joined militancy in 1993,they said.

The encounter was still going on when reports last came in, they added.
Source : PTI