Gunfight between militants, troops erupts in Indian-controlled Kashmir

A gunfight between militants and Indian troops Tuesday broke out in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The gunfight erupted at Heff-Shirmal village in Shopian district, about 62 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"A gunfight has started here this early evening," a police official posted in Shopian said. "Troops of Indian army and police are jointly trying to take on militants present in the village Heff-Shirmal."

Reports said two militants were believed to be in the area.

Officials said troops have cordoned off the area following intelligence inputs about presence of militants in the village.

"The contact has been established and an exchange of gunfire between holed up militants and troops is going on," the official said.

On Saturday, two militants were killed in a similar gunfight in the region.

A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in Indian- controlled Kashmir since 1989. The gunfight between the two sides takes place intermittently across the region. Enditem