Zeenat-ul-Islam was associated with the terror group Al Badr.

Highlights Zeenat-ul-Islam was associated with the terror group Al Badr

He was an expert at handling Improvised explosive device

The operation was carried out in Katpora area in Kulgam district

A dreaded terrorist was among the two terrorists killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

Police said Zeenat-ul-Islam, a category A++ militant, had switched over to the Al-Badr from the Hizbul Mujahideen in November last year following agreement between the two outfits to strengthen the Al-Badr.

"The two militants killed in the Katpora encounter have been identified as Zeenat-ul-Islam and Shakeel Dar. Both were involved in several terror crimes," a police official said. He was active since 2015, the police official added.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Katpora area of Yaripora in south Kashmir's Kulgam district on Saturday evening after receiving specific information about the presence of militants there.

As the forces were conducting the searches, the militants fired on them, he said.

As per policy, the terrorists were given an opportunity to surrender, but they continued to fire, the official said.

The forces retaliated, ensuing an encounter in which the two militants were killed, he said.

Arms and ammunition were recovered from the encounter site, the official said, adding, no collateral damage has been reported during the encounter.