SRINAGAR, Kashmir — Indian security forces on Wednesday killed one of the most wanted Kashmiri militants, a young fighter who had escaped from police custody earlier this year and was accused of later assassinating a prominent newspaper editor.

According to police officials, Naveed Jatt was cornered in a small house that was being used as a hide-out, and shot dead after a gun battle.

Mr. Jatt, 21, was like a legend in the Kashmir Valley, a territory that both India and Pakistan claim.

Born in Pakistan, he was pudgy and about five-and-a-half-feet tall — his nickname was “Shorty.” He was known to be intelligent, charismatic and extremely brutal.