Acting on a tip off about presence of militants, police launched a cordon and search operation in Patimah area of the district early this morning, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kishtwar-Ramban range, Gareeb Dass said.
An encounter took place in the area after the militant fired at the operation party, he said, adding in the ensuing gunbattle Hizb militant Akhtar Hussain was shot dead.
Police recovered a AK rifle and two magazines from the spot.
Akhtar was involved in the killing of Noor Hussain, a jawan of 17 Rashtriya Rifles.
Akhtar, who was earlier in Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT), had surrendered twice, but had recently joined Hizbul Mujahideen.