1st LD Writethru: Indian policeman killed in Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight

An Indian policeman was killed, while two military troopers and a civilian were wounded Thursday in a fierce gunfight between militants and Indian troops in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The gunfight broke out at village Hardushoora of Tangmarg in Bramulla district, about 35 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"A policeman laid down his life fighting militants in Tangmarg today," a Srinagar-based police spokesman told Xinhua. "He was wounded in the gunfight but succumbed immediately while being removed to hospital."

According to the police spokesman, militants fired upon contingents of Indian army after police while they were searching the area, thereby triggering a gunfight.

"Our two soldiers were also wounded in the attack," Indian military spokesman Lt Col N N Joshi told Xinhua. "Both of them have been removed to hospital."

Reports pouring in from the area said the militants fired upon Indian army positions from a house.

Locals said a civilian was also wounded in the stand-off.

"Initially there was massive exchange of fire but now it seems the gunfight has stopped," Abdul Majeed, a local resident said in a telephonic interview from Hardushoora. "The owner of the house was wounded in the fire between two sides."

The wounded civilian was rushed to hospital and his condition was stated to be critical.

Police and military officials said a search operation was going on in the area.

Militant groups have been engaged in a guerrilla war against the Indian troops in the region since 1989. Endi