Two militants killed in overnight encounter

SRINAGAR: Two militants were killed in an overnight encounter with security forces in Kulgam district of South Kashmir, police said today.

"Two militants were killed in an encounter with security forces in Chenigam village of Kulgam," a police spokesman said.

Security forces had launched a cordon and search operation in the village last evening following information about presence of militants in the area, he said.

The spokesman said the security forces' party was fired upon by the militants, which was retaliated, triggering off a fierce gun battle.

"Arms and ammunition have been recovered from the site of the encounter along with the bodies of the slain militants," the spokesman said, adding the identity of the slain ultras is being ascertained.

The police spokesman said the firing started again at the site of the encounter resulting in injuries to three security personnel and a civilian.

"After the recovery of two bodies (of militants) from encounter site, firing again started in which two armymen, a CRPF personnel and a civilian got injured," the spokesman said adding the injured have been rushed to a hospital.

He said the operation was still in progress.