Two army personnel were killed and three others, including a major, critically wounded during a de-mining operation in the Arnia sector near the international border, 40 kms from Jammu, late on Wednesday afternoon.

Defence sources in Srinagar said an underground anti-tank mine went off accidentally killing Naib Subedar Ajmer Singh and Lieutenant S C Godbole.

Sources said Major S C Benerjee and two army soldiers were those injured in the explosion and were airlifted to the northern command hospital at Udhampur.

The Indian army had heavily mined the areas on the international border and the Line of Control in December 2001 following increased tension after the attack on the Parliament.

Troops have been demining the areas following the withdrawal of the army from borders.