Indian troops kill 2 militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight

Two militants of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant outfit were killed in a gunfight in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said Friday.

The gunfight broke out Thursday when joint contingents of Indian army and police cordoned off village Manzimpora in district Shopian, about 54 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"In a major success against militants, two HM militants were killed in an encounter in Manzimpora of Shopian last evening," a police spokesman said. "On a specific tip off, Shopian Police and army launched a joint cordon and search operation in apple orchards in Manzimpora area of Shopian. As the joint team was advancing, the militants hiding inside the dense trees opened fire on the search party, which was retaliated, ensuing into a brief gunfight in which two militants were killed."

Police officials identified the slain militants as Irshad Ahmad Sheikh and Adil Khanday, the local cadres of HM, the region's largest indigenous outfit.

According to police the slain duo were involved militant activities. However, police spokesman said Khanday was involved in killing of three police personnel in the district in April this year, besides attacks on pro-India political workers.

On Wednesday a militant was killed and three Indian military troopers wounded in a similar gunfight in the region.

A guerilla war is 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.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan is claimed by both in full. Since their Independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.