Two hardcore Lashkar-e-Tayiba militants, including a foreigner, were killed and two special police officers wounded in a fierce gunbattle at Gundoh in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir [Images], official sources said in Jammu.

Acting on a tipoff about the presence of around 15 Lashkar militants, including some Afghanistan and Pakistan nationals, in the upper reaches of Gugnallah Trakar, Dhar Trenkal under Gundoh police station, the troops of 26 Rashtriya Rifles, 22 Special Forces of army and police launched a search operation and cordoned off the area at 0800 hours.

A gun battle erupted and in the ensuing encounter, two hardcore militants were killed, sources said adding, two SPOs Shyam Lal and Zafarullah sustained bullet injuries during the operation.

Both SPOs have been referred to Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, where the condition of Shyam Lal was stated to be very critical, sources said.

The slain militants were identified as Abu Shakeel Afghani, an Afgan national, and Jaan Mohammad alias Billal of Kunthal.

According to sources, one SLR, one pistol, one SLR magazine, two pistol magazines, one wireless set and one pouch were recovered from the possession of the slain militants.

The encounter was still on when the last report came in. More than two dozen LeT militants are suspected to be present in the hideout, sources said.

Meanwhile, a militant escaped by breaking Doda police's cordon from Bulandpore in Marmat area where two SPOs were killed on Sunday.