Politics
17:10, 13-Aug-2017
3 militants, 2 soldiers killed in Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight
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Three militants of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant group and two Indian army men were killed and three soldiers wounded in a fierce gunfight in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said on Sunday.
The gunfight took place on Saturday evening at Awneera village of Shopian district, about 60 km south of Srinagar City, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
The funeral of Firdous Ahmad, a civilian, who according to local media was killed during clashes following the killing of two militants in a gun battle with Indian security forces, at Begumbagh in south Kashmir's Pulwama district on August 1, 2017. /Reuters Photo
The funeral of Firdous Ahmad, a civilian, who according to local media was killed during clashes following the killing of two militants in a gun battle with Indian security forces, at Begumbagh in south Kashmir's Pulwama district on August 1, 2017. /Reuters Photo
"The deadly gunfight claimed five lives－three militants and two army men, while three other soldiers were wounded," a police official told Xinhua."The army suffered casualties during the overnight standoff, while militants were gunned down today."
The gunfight has ended but a search operation is underway, officials said.
According to officials, the wounded soldiers were taken to the military base hospital in Srinagar.
The slain militants were identified as local cadres of HM.
Protesters attack an Indian police vehicle during clashes following the funeral of Yawar Nissar, a suspected militant, who according to local media was killed during a gun battle with Indian security forces at Herpora village, in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, August 4, 2017. /Reuters Photo
Protesters attack an Indian police vehicle during clashes following the funeral of Yawar Nissar, a suspected militant, who according to local media was killed during a gun battle with Indian security forces at Herpora village, in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, August 4, 2017. /Reuters Photo
Meanwhile, clashes broke out in the area between protesters and government forces. The youth threw stones on government forces and shouted anti-India and pro-freedom slogan to protest the killings of militants.
The gunfight, according to police, was triggered after contingents of Indian troops and police encircled the area on intelligence information suggesting the presence of militants.
Locals said two houses were fully damaged, while a third one suffered partial damage in the firefight.
According to police, the militants had taken refuge in the houses and from there were firing on army and police positions.
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency