Munna Lahori, the Pakistan-based terrorist group's leader in south Kashmir area, and another terrorist were killed during the encounter. 

"Two JeM terrorists killed in a gun battle with SFs at Bonbazar, Shopian. They have been identified as Munna Bhai or Chhota Burmi from Pakistan and Zeenat-ul-Islam from Shopian, J&K," an official told IBNS.

Munna was an IED expert of JeM.

Munna along with Ismail alias Lambu, another Pakistani JeM commander, was not only responsible for several IED attacks in J&K but also for training and extending logistical support to the local terrorists in South Kashmir, said police.

Munna was responsible for two car bomb attacks on security forces, and also had killed several civilians in Kashmir valley.

He was involved in vehicle IED attack on security forces convoy on Mar 30 at Banihal.

He was also involved in car blast on Army vehicle at Arihal Pulwama on June 17.

Both Ismail and Munna have been instrumental in reviving JeM in South Kashmir.

As part of Pakistani spy agency ISI's new strategy, they maintained low profile and never indulged in direct attacks.

In fact, Central agencies had got a whiff of their presence almost a year back, yet it took several months for the SFs operating on ground to identify and locate them.

The internet service was suspended as a precautionary measure to prevent rumours in Shopian, where reports of clashes from some areas were received. 

Officials said acting on a tip-off about the presence of militants troops of Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police, Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and CRPF launched a CASO at Bonbazar in main town Shopian late on Friday night.

All the exit points were sealed and house to house searches launched, they said.

They said when the security forces were moving towards a particular house, militants hiding inside opened fire with automatic weapons.