Militants kill Indian policeman, trooper in Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight

An Indian military trooper and a policeman were killed, while another trooper and a civilian were wounded Thursday in a fierce gunfight with militants 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.

"Soldier Jageshwar and policeman Mohammed Shafi who were critically wounded succumbed and attained martyrdom in the line of duty," Indian military spokesman Lt Col N N Joshi said.

According to Joshi, a joint operation was launched by military and police Thursday morning on specific information about presence of militants at Hardushoora,

"As the noose was being tightened, militants opened heavy volume of fire wounding two soldiers and a policeman," he said, adding "The other soldier is stable and undergoing treatment at military base hospital in Srinagar."

Following the deadly attack militants managed to break off the cordon and escaped in the nearby area.

"Once the firing subsided, the houses were searched. However, by then militants had moved out of the house," Joshi said. " Tracking dogs were pressed into action and the pursuit was launched."

A police spokesman said militants managed to escape and operation was called off. The spokesman said civilian who was wounded in the cross-fire was stable.

Militant groups are engaged in guerilla war Indian troops in the region since 1989. Gunfight between the two sides takes place intermittently.

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. Endi