Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight death toll rises to 7

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At least six Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) militants and an Indian air force (IAF) commando were killed in a fierce gunfight in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir on Saturday, police said.

The gunfight erupted at village Hajin in Bandipora, about 32 km north of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"The encounter is now finished and was a success," the region's police chief Shesh Paul Vaid said. "A total of six LeT militants were eliminated."

Pakistani and Indian military officials also talked over a hotline to ease tension, the Pakistani military said late Saturday.

Woman weeps during the funeral of Ashiq Ahmad Bhat, a suspected militant, who was killed during a gunbattle with Indian security forces in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, November 14, 2017. /Reuters Photo

"An unscheduled Pak-India DGMO (Director General Military Operations) Hot Line contact was made today (Saturday). Indian Army was conveyed that continued deliberate targeting of innocent civilians along LoC lately in Nezapir, Chirikot and Battal sectors are highly unprofessional and unethical," a statement from the Pakistani army's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations said.

"Such provocations also causing loss of innocent civilian lives are potentially dangerous to invoke an unbearable response," the statement said.

The gunfight was triggered by Indian military, paramilitary and police cordoning off the area suspecting the presence of militants.

"While fighting the militants, one IAF guard was killed and an army trooper injured," Col Rajesh Kalia, Indian army spokesperson told Xinhua.

According to officials, the slain IAF commando was part of the joint team that took on militants in the village.

Indian Army and police have claimed recovery of weapons and ammunition from the gunfight site.

Women wail during the funeral of Abdul Salam Khan, an Indian policeman who was killed in a fierce gunfight in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir November 5, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Of the six slain militants, two were commanders of LeT.

LeT is accused of carrying out a terror attack on India's financial capital Mumbai in 2008. The attack claimed 166 lives.

Last month two militants and two IAF personnel were killed in a similar gunfight in the village.

A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. Gunfights between the two sides take 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.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency