Srinagar, March 22 -- Six militants, including two Pakistanis, and a minor boy allegedly held hostage by the militants were killed in separate encounters with government forces on Friday in Bandipora and Shopian districts.

Two militants of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were killed in an overnight gunbattle in Hajin area of Bandipora district, officials said.

The operation against the militants was started on Thursday but the government forces had to proceed with caution as the militants had, according to officials "two civilians hostage".

They said while one civilian was rescued Thursday evening, the other hostage - a 12-year-old boy - was killed.

"Two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants were killed in the Hajin encounter. From incriminating material, ...