Srinagar, Aug 10 (UNI) Two soldiers were killed and two civilians injured in an ongoing anti-militancy operation in a forest area in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, officials said.

The gun battle erupted on Saturday when joint teams of forces launched a cordon and a search operation (CASO) in Ahlan Gagarmandu following a specific input about militant presence.

Officials said, during the initial exchange of fire, two soldiers were wounded who were evacuated from the area.

“The two succumbed to their injuries,” they said.

The identity of slain soldiers could not be ascertained immediately.

Army has so far not officially confirmed any fatalities, but said that two soldiers were wounded in the encounter.

“Based on specific intelligence input, a Joint Operation was launched by #IndianArmy, @JmuKmrPolice & @crpf_srinagar today in general area Kokernag, Anantnag. Contact was established and firefight ensued. Two personnel have been injured and evacuated from the area. Operations are in progress,” the Army’s Srinagar based Chinar Corps said in a post on X.

The Army added that two civilians were injured in the militant firing.
“Two civilians have also been reported injured due to indiscriminate, desperate and reckless firing by terrorists in the ongoing operation; they have been provided immediate medical aid and evacuated further,” the Army Chinar Corps said.

Officials said that additional forces have been rushed to the area to ensure a tight cordon.
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