Two militants have been killed in South Kashmir encounter while two soldiers were also injured and were taken to the hospital for treatment.A gunfight which had raged between the Joint Forces including soldiers from 44 Rashtriya Rifles and militants after a siege was laid around Kanigam village of South Kashmir's Shopian district yesterday has ended.Two militants were killed in the encounter, a senior official told KNT adding that during exchange of fire two Soldiers from 44 RR also received injuries and were later shifted to hospital.Police said that there were inputs about the presence of two militants in the village. Reports identified the killed militants as Asif Ahmad Lone of Turkawangam Shopian who went missing in the middle of June this year and as Owais Farooq resident of Kadlabal Awantipora who joined militant ranks last month.An official said militants were asked to surrender but they declined.Police official said that incriminating materials including arms and ammunition was recovered from the site of the encounter.During the operation Joint Forces fired tear smoke shells to disperse youth who pelted stones on them in the outer cordon area. As per police records, both the killed militants were part of the group involved in several militant activities. Besides, several cases were registered against Asif Lone including case FIR No. 98/2020 of PS Zainapora pertaining to attack on Army Naka party at Trenz Shopian on 07/12/2020 & FIR No. 153/2020 of PS Zainapora pertaining to pasting of posters whereby general public was threatened to keep away from recently concluded DDC elections.Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter. All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation.The last rites of the killed militants shall be performed after conducting their medico-legal formalities at Baramulla and their nearest family members shall be allowed to participate in the last rites, said officials.In this connection a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and investigation has been initiated.(KNT)