Two militants said to be behind bus attack in Jammu and Kashmir killed

Two militants, believed to be involved in the attack on a passenger bus four days ago, were killed today in a gunbattle with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district.

Acting on a tip-off that some militants were hiding in Rajdhani forest belt at Thanamandi, troops of Rashtriya Rifles and police launched a cordon-and-search operation in the area.

In the ensuing gunfight, two ultras were killed and a police constable was wounded, said SSP (Rajouri) RK Jalla who supervised the operation.

A militant was still hiding in the area and the exchange of fire was still on, he said.

The slain militants were suspected to be involved in the attack on an army convoy at Der-Ki-Gali in Rajouri district on Wednesday, police sources said.

A bus passing through the area was caught in the cross-fire and was hit by a volley of bullets in which two passengers were killed and 16 wounded.

Two jawans were also injured in the exchange of fire. The commanding officer of the Rastriya Rifles had escaped unhurt in the attack.