SRINAGAR, India-controlled Kashmir, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- A militant was killed in a gunfight by a joint team of Indian army and police in India-controlled Kashmir, police Friday said.

    The gunfight broke out Thursday evening after a search team of Indian army and police cordoned off Badambagh area of Sopore, 55 km northwest of Srinagar, the summer capital of India-controlled Kashmir.

    "A search operation was carried out jointly by the Indian army and police on specific information about the presence of militants in Badambagh locality of Sopore. During the searches we came under fire from the militants hiding in the area. The fire was retaliated, triggering a gunfight. During the standoff one militant was killed," said Viplav Kumar senior superintendent of police at Baramulla.

    The operation was suspended Thursday night and resumed early Friday. So far no contact has been established.

    Police sources said that two militants have managed to escape in the darkness.

    "We had the information about the three militants in the area but on Friday we only found one body," Kumar said.

    The police also claims recovery of some arms and ammunition from the slain militant, whose identity is also being ascertained.

    Earlier, on Wednesday three militants of Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit including a top commander were killed in a gunfight with Indian army and police in the mountainous terrain of Pathria-Mahore of Reasi district, around 190 km north of Jammu, the winter capital of India-controlled Kashmir.