Srinagar, A separatist guerrilla was killed on Monday in a fierce gunfight between security forces and militants in Manigah forest in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. 

“One militant has been killed today (Monday) in a fierce encounter in Manigah forest. The encounter is still on,” a senior police officer told IANS here.

Security forces have been conducting an operation against a group of heavily-armed guerrillas in the forest for over a fortnight after they reportedly sneaked into India from Pakistan-held Kashmir.

The army has deployed helicopters and para-commandos to prevent guerrillas from moving further into the state or returning to Pakistan-held Kashmir.

Lt. Colonel S.K. Natt was critically injured in the operation on Sunday. Colonel Santosh Mahadik was killed last week during the operation.