Srinagar: Two militants were killed in an encounter which ensued during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Hajin area of north Kashmir district of Bandipora on Thursday, a police spokesperson said.

Government forces burst teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse the demonstrators, who tried to disrupt the CASO against militants.

Police spokesman said on a specific information about the presence of militants, troops of 13 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police and 45 Batallion CRPF launched a joint search operation in Parra Mohalla, Hajin, in Bandipora early this morning at 0500 hrs.

When the area was being sealed, the militants hiding there, opened fire at them. Security forces also retaliated ensuing in an encounter, he said, adding that two of the trapped militants were killed.

‘Bodies of both the militants have been recovered from the encounter site,’ he said, adding the operation was still going on when the reports last came in.

Additional security forces were rushed to further tighten the cordon to foil any attempt by militants to escape, he added.

However, people, mostly youths took to the streets in the areas near the encounter site, trying to disrupt the CASO. Security forces burst teargas shells and resorted to lathicharge to disperse the demonstrators, who were pelting stones.