SRINAGAR, July 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — Three militants were killed Saturday in an ongoing fierce gunfight with government forces in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.
The gunfight broke out at village Amshipora of Shopian district, about 60 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
“A gunfight between militants and joint contingents of army, paramilitary and police broke out early today here at Amshipora village. In the firefight so far three militants were killed,” a police official posted in Shopian said.
According to police officials, the government forces cordoned off the village on specific intelligence information suggesting the presence of militants in the area.
No sooner the government forces moved closer to the suspected area, it came under heavy fire, triggering an exchange between the two sides.
Indian army spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia said the operation in the village was underway until last reports poured in.
Saturday’s killings have taken the toll of militants in gunfights to six in the past 24 hours in the region.
Gunfights between militants and government forces take place intermittently in the region.
Officials said since the beginning of this year over 100 militants were killed in gunfights across the region.
Militant groups opposing New Delhi’s rule are engaged in a guerrilla war with Indian troops in the region since 1989. — NNN-XINHUA