A defence spokesman said the troops had gone to Thanna village for searches after a tip-off. While one militant was killed, the others, taking advantage of dense forests, managed to flee.

The spokesman said an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, one hand grenade and some ammunition belonging to militants were found at site of the encounter.

Meanwhile, a major loss of life and property was prevented by timely detection of an Improvised Explosive Device by security forces in Surankot last evening.