Jammu A militant was on Wednesday shot dead by the army in a gunbattle in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, a senior army officer said.

Acting on a tip off, troops of 37 and 39 Rashtriya Rifles launched a search operation in Chattral-Nadal forest belt in Mendhar area, late last night, he said.

During the operation, militants fired at the troops and in the retaliatory firing one militant was killed, they said.

An AK 56 rifle, some ammunition and explosive material have been recovered from the spot.