At least 11 persons, including two Army soldiers and nine militants, were killed in Jammu and Kashmir [Images] on Friday in three different encounters between militants and security forces.

A Defence spokesman said troops of 18 and 28 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and 2-Para Regiment of the Army jointly surrounded the forest area near Dharamwari village in north Kashmir Kupwara border district on Thursday night on specific information that a group of militants was hiding inside.
 
"The troops laid an ambush and engaged the hiding militants in a sustained gunfight which continued till late Friday morning," the spokesman said.
 
He said six militants had been killed so far in the jungle gunfight between the security forces and the militants.

"Two troopers have also lost their lives in this operation which is still continuing," the spokesman said.

Earlier, a militant was killed in Bandipora district in another encounter between the security forces and the militants.

Two militants were also killed in the Machil sector of the LOC (Line of Control) in north Kashmir in an infiltration bid by the militants.