A policeman was killed on Sunday in a gunfight between the security forces and militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district.

The security forces launched a search operation earlier on Sunday in Mir Mohalla area based on information about the presence of militants.

"As the security forces came close to the hiding militants, they were fired at triggering the gunfight.

"The victim was a member of the police's special operations group. He succumbed to his injuries at an Army base hospital in Srinagar.

"The encounter is ongoing and two to three militants are believed to be trapped," a police official said.