A senior police officer was killed in a gun battle between militants and security forces in a dense forest area of Bhaderwah in the hilly Doda district of Jammu region late on Wednesday evening.

The police said an operation to flush out militants was launched by the special operations group of the state police and security forces in a forest area in Bhaderwah.

"Militants hiding in the forest opened fire at the police and security forces, resulting in on the spot death of deputy superintendent of police, Shailey Singh. More reinforcements have been rushed to the area," a senior police officer said.

Further details are awaited.