Six militants, including a commander of frontline Hizbul Mujaheedin were killed in a fierce gunbattle in the mountaineous central Kashmir village of Khag Beerwa in Budgam district early Wednesday.

Police said army troops and Jammu and Kashmir police on specific information carried out the operation.

Deputy Inspector General of police Farooq Ahmed told rediff.com that during the searches the militants hiding in a house opened fire on the search parties. The troops took positions and engaged the group of hiding militants in a gunbattle.

The house was surrounded by the troops and police and after a sustained gun battle, which ended late Wednesday morning.

Six militants including a commander of Hizbul Mujaheedin identified as Jaanbaz were killed. "Police and army recovered huge quantity of arms and ammunition from the encounter site. The  searches are still continuing," the DIG said.