Jammu: Two jawans were killed and as many critically injured as heavily armed militants ambushed an Army patrol party in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir today (June 21, 2004), official sources said.

Acting on a tip-off about the presence of militants in the area, Army troops launched an operation in Chitral area of Mendhar Tehsil in Poonch district early today, the sources said.

As the patrol party was heading towards the area, the militants hiding behind the bushes ambushed the troops and opened fire from all the sides, they said.

The troops retaliated the firing and in the ensuing gunfight, two jawans were killed on the spot, while as many were critically injured, the sources said adding that the wounded army men have been airlifted to the Northern command military hospital in Udhampur.

Meanwhile, additional troops have been sent to the area to track down the militants who had fled the spot after the gunfight, the sources added.