Srinagar, April 25 -- A militant associate was killed and two policemen were injured in a gunbattle in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Friday.

They said the gunbattle broke out in the wee hours in the Ajas forest of the district.

Officials said a search operation was launched in the forest area following an input by a militant associate who was arrested two days ago.

They said as the security forces headed to a hideout , militants opened fire on the troops , triggering a gunbattle.

" In the initial firing two policemen and a terror associate were injured ," they said.

The said militant associate identified as Altaf Lalli succumbed to his injuries later.

Earlier the day, Army said a joint search operation was...