A top Hizbul Mujahideen militant was on Wednesday shot dead by security forces during an encounter in Doda district.

On a tip off, a joint search party of army and police launched a cordon and search operation in Behota-Marmat area of the district, about 170 kms from here.

In the gunbattle that followed, the self-styled section commander of Hizbul Mujahideen identified as Noor Mohammed alias Mansoor was killed, official sources said.

An AK rifle and three magazines were recovered from the slain militant.