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1st LD Writethru: Indian troops kill 5 militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight

Xinhua, January 15, 2015 Adjust font size:

Five militants were killed on Thursday in a fierce gunfight with the Indian troops and police in the restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The gunfight erupted at Kellar forest area of Shopian district, about 83 km south of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian- controlled Kashmir.

"Five militants have been killed in an encounter with police and army in Gader forests in Keller area of Shopian today," a police spokesman said. "The operation to track down militants was carried out on a tip off."

According to the spokesman, the gun battle broke out after militants fired upon the policemen and soldiers during the searches.

Officials said they also seized four assault rifles, a pistol and ammunitions from the site.

The identity and group affiliation of the killed was being ascertained. "Out of five militants four were locals and one was a foreigner," an Indian military spokesman said.

A militant was killed in a gunfight with the Indian troops in Sopore town on Wednesday.

The gunfights came days ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to India. Obama is scheduled to arrive in the Indian capital on Jan. 26 as a guest for the Republic Day celebrations and ceremonial parade in New Delhi.

The Indian military said on Thursday that militants might carry out attacks on schools, religious places and civilian targets, as well as military convoys ahead of this high-profile visit.

"Around 200 militants are waiting in 36 launching pads across the Pir Panjal mountain range to infiltrate into the Indian side," Lt. Gen. K.H. Singh told media in Jammu, the region's winter capital.

New Delhi blames Islamabad for sending armed militants to Indian-controlled Kashmir. However, Islamabad denies the accusation.

Gunfights have taken place intermittently after militant groups are engaged in a guerrilla war with Indian troops in the region since 1989.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both sides. Since their independence from Britain, the two neighbors have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir. Endi