Around 16 protesters also sustain injuries in clashes with security forces during the operation.

Two Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militants, including a 'commander', were killed and two soldiers injured during an anti-militancy operation by the Army in Pulwama on Monday.

Shahid Ashraf Dar, a resident of Arihal village, was killed in clashes with security forces during the operation.

An Army spokesman said two rifles were recovered from the site of operation, which began in the morning at Drabgam in Pulwama.

“The operation is still on,” said the spokesman. The militants were trapped in the hometown of Hizb commander Sameer Bhat alias 'Tiger', who is also believed dead in the encounter.

'Tiger' was wanted in many attacks on security forces. Another militant was identified as Aqib Khan of Rajpora, according to the locals.

Around 16 protesters also sustained injuries during the operation. Of them, five were shifted to a Srinagar hospital.

Internet services have been suspended in the area and train services stopped in south Kashmir.