Two commanders of the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit were shot dead in a gun battle in Jammu and Kashmir's [Images] Doda district on Wednesday.

On specific information, police and the 10 Rashtriya Rifle troops launched an operation in Ghatt area of Doda district. A gun battle took place between hiding militants and security forces, Senior Superintendent of Police, Doda, Manohar Singh said.

In the gun battle that lasted for over two hours, two top Hizbul militants were killed.

They have been identified as Mohmmad Shafi alias Nasir code Delta One, self-styled divisional commander of Jammu region and Javed Iqbal alias Umar Gazi, self-styled district commander, Doda.

While Shafi was active since 1995, Javed was involved in militancy since 2000.

The recoveries from the spot included 2 AK rifles, 2 magazines, 110 rounds, 4 Chinese grenades and some explosive material.