Srinagar: Two militants were killed today by security forces on the second day of a meeting in Handwara area of north Kashmir Kupwara district. 

Yesterday, a militant unidentified was killed and junior Responsible Officer (JCO) Army killed in the encounter that erupted when militants opened fire on a joint search party of army and police in the woods near the village Waderbala Petta. 

"Two more militants were killed in the encounter that began yesterday morning," Ghulam Hassan Bhat, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, north Kashmir range, told PTI today. 

However, he said there was no fresh security forces causalities.

Security forces had launched a search operation on Monday night after receiving specific information about the presence of militants in forests. 

The militants opened fire on the search party at 6:45 am on Tuesday, drawing retaliation, police said. 

In the ensuing firefight, one militant killed and a army JCO was injured. The JCO was evacuated from the site, but later succumbed to his injuries. 

Search operation was going on until last reports came in.