Srinagar, Jan 31 (IANS) A fierce overnight gun battle between a top militant hiding in a house and security forces in the north Kashmir town of Sopore ended Sunday morning with reports that the guerrilla might have escaped.

A senior police officer said here that security forces had surrounded a house in Sopore town, 52 km from here, late Saturday evening after reports that a senior guerrilla commander was hiding inside.

'When the security forces surrounded the house, they came under heavy gunfire from inside.

'The gun fire was returned and a firefight ensued,' the officer said.

A house was destroyed in the gun battle and security forces are removing the debris.

One AK-47, two grenades and a laptop were recovered from the debris. However, it appears that the militant commander escaped during the night, taking advantage of the darkness and confusion following gutting of the house, police sources here said.