Srinagar: An army officer and a soldier succumbed to injuries sustained in a gun battle between militants as and security forces in Bandipora district, defence said Wednesday.

Defence spokesperson Lt. Col J.S. Brar told Agence India Press that a raiding party of the army and local police was moved out Tuesday night to lay a cordon in Chatibandi village in the district following specific information that a group of militants was hiding there.

"The operation was launched on specific intelligence and as the troops were closing in on the target area, they were fired upon by terrorists resulting in injuries to one officer and one soldier. They later succumbed to their injuries in the military hospital.

"Major Yogendra Rajbar and Rifleman Uttam Singh were martyred in an encounter last (Tuesday) night," Brar added.

"The officer was a resident of Dehradun and had been operating in the area for close to two years. He is survived by his mother, sister and brother. Rifleman Uttam Singh is survived by his wife and two-year-old daughter," he added.

Meanwhile, a search operation was on to locate the militants after the fight ended early Wednesday. Earlier militants fired at Army personnel laying a cordon near the area where they were holed up leading to exchange of fire resulting in the deaths.