Two militants killed and 9 soldiers injured

Srinagar, Sep 29 (UNI) Two fierce encounters were going on at different places in Kashmir valley in which two militant were killed and nine soldiers were injured so far.

A police spokesman said troops of 28 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and police launched a joint search operation at Gojul in the frontier district of Kupwara today following a tip-off about the presence of militants there.

As the security forces condoned off the area, militants opened fire in which one militant was killed.

One AK rifle, four magazines, 160 rounds, two hand grenades and one wireless set were recovered from the slain militant.

The operation was still going on when the reports last came in, he said.

He said another encounter ensued during similar search operation conducted by 42 RR and police at village Shahabad, Awantipora, in Pulwama district in which one militant was killed.

Nine security personnel -- two police and seven soldiers -- were injured.

A Defence Ministry spokesman said the four-day encounter on Ganderbal-Bandipora heights concluded last evening, in which seven militants were killed.

One soldier also lost his life, he said.

UNI BAS RSA KN2230