Kashmir militant leader killed in gunfight

A top militant leader in Kashmir has been shot dead by Indian forces, with his death expected to spark protests.

Sabzar Ahmed Bhat, a top militant leader of Kashmir's Hijb-ul Mujahideen militant group, has been killed in a gunfight with Indian forces, an army official says.

Bhat - the successor to Burwan Wani, the Hizbul leader whose death on July 8, 2016 sparked deadly protests - was killed in the in the Traal area of the India-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir, Indian Army spokesman Rajesh Kalia said.

He added that another militant had been killed in the gunfight.

Bhat's death has prompted protests in southern, central and northern Kashmir, IANS news agency reported.