From correspondents in Jammu and Kashmir, India, 12:31 AM IST

Two separatist guerrillas were gunned down by Indian security forces in Kupwara district of north Kashmir Sunday.

'Acting on a specific information about the presence of two militants in a forest area of Garbar in Kupwara district, a joint operation was launched by the 17 Dogra Regiment and the police this morning,' a police spokesman said here.

'During searches, hiding militants opened fire at the security forces. The fire was returned and in the ensuing encounter two militants were killed,' he said.

'Arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants,' he added.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)