Indian troops kill 2 militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight

Two militants of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militant outfit were killed and a trooper was wounded Sunday in a gunfight in Indian- controlled Kashmir, officials said.

The gunfight broke out late Sunday afternoon when joint contingents of Indian army, paramilitary and police cordoned off village Harriparigam in district Pulwama, about 37 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Acting on specific information about presence of militants in Harriparigam, police along with military cordoned off the area and launched search operation," a police spokesman said. "The hiding militants opened fire on the joint search party, triggering a gunfight."

Police claimed recovery of two assault rifles from the gunfight site.

"The army soldier who sustained a gunshot wound was immediately evacuated and his condition is reported to be stable," Indian military spokesman Col. N N Joshi said.

According to police the slain duo were involved in many unlawful activities including motivating local youth to join militancy and creating fear among pro-Indian political workers.

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