Srinagar, Feb 1 (IANS): A militant was killed Saturday in a gunfight with the security forces in Kashmir's Pulwama district, an official said.

A senior police official said following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of guerrillas in a house in Kangan village in Pulwama district, 33 km from here, security forces surrounded the house Friday evening.

"When the militant was challenged to surrender, he started firing at the security forces triggering a gunbattle.

"The cordon around the house was tightened but the operation was suspended during the night. After resuming the operation in the morning today (Saturday), one militant has been killed so far while searches are still going on."

The official said an AK-47 rifle has been recovered from the slain guerrilla whose body was found in the house where he was hiding. His identity is yet to be established.

The operation was carried out jointly by the state police, counter insurgency Rashtriya Rifles and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Authorities imposed restrictions in Pulwama town to maintain law and order Saturday morning.

"This is a precautionary measure to prevent anti-social elements from disturbing the law and order situation in the aftermath of the encounter," the official said.