Two Lashkar militants were killed in an overnight encounter with the government forces in Sopore area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district.A joint team of army's 22RR, SOG and CRPF launched cordon and search operation in Brath Kalan after having credible input about presence of some militants in the area.While hiding militants fired upon goverment forces triggering an encounter and operation was halted due to darkness last night and was resumed early morning, two militants were killed in the gunfight, police official told Valley Media Service.Meanwhile, two militants were killed and the bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter.Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. Police has registered a case and initiated investigation in the matter, police spokesman said VMS.The slain militants affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba were identified as Owais Ahmad Bhat@ Abu Bakar of Gund Brath Sopore and Tahir Ahmad Dar@Abu Abdullah of Siadpora Sopore.Meanwhile, triggered violent protests in Sopore area, eye witness said that the youth hurled stones on the forces withdrawing from the Brath Gund area soon after the gunfight ended.The forces, he said, fired tear gas shells to chase away the protesters.A complete shutdown is being observed in Sopore to mourn the militant killings.Witnesses said all shops and other commercial establishments are shut while public transport has gone off the roads.(VMS)