Two militants, soldier killed in Kashmir gunfight (Lead, superseding earlier story)

Two militants and a soldier were killed on Friday in a gunfight in north Kashmir, officials said.

The police said troops of the 13 Rashtriya Rifles and special operations group surrounded Manzpora village in Bandipoora district, following an information about the militant presence.

"With the break of dawn, the flushing out operation was started when the hiding militants opened indiscriminate fire causing critical injuries to a soldier, who later succumbed," a senior police officer said.

Exchange of fire was stopped in the area, but a combing operation was on.

In another operation in Tujjar village of Baramulla district, security forces surrounded a house where a local militant was reportedly in.

"The holed up militant is being persuaded to surrender," the police said.

--IANS

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