A self-styled section commander of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit was shot dead by security forces during an encounter in Marmat area of Doda district on Tuesday.

On specific information about the presence of a militant in Doda forest of Marmat area, about 193 km from Jammu, Rashtriya Rifle troops launched a search operation last night to nab him, police said. Troops located the militant early today and in the subsequent encounter, he was killed.