Srinagar: Security forces killed six foreign mercenaries, including two divisional commanders of the Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT), in an encounter in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir this morning (Jan 30,2004), Defence sources said.

On a tip-off about the presence of top militants of Pakistan-based LeT and Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami (HUJI), troops of Kilo force raided a house in Sogam-Lolab area last evening (Jan 29, 2004), the sources said.

The hiding militants opened fire on the troops and in the retaliatory action, six ultras, including two self-styled divisional commanders of LeT, were killed in the operation, which was still in progress, the sources said.

Of the six slain militants, three each belonged to the two outfits, they said, adding no civilian suffered any casualty in the nightlong operation.

The troops also suffered no casualties, they added.