2 troopers wounded in Indian-controlled Kashmir militant attack

Two Indian military troopers were wounded in a militant attack in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said Wednesday.

Militants attacked troopers Tuesday evening at Heff-Shirmal village in Shopian district, about 62 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

According to police, the troopers came under heavy fire in the village while trying to carry out cordon operation.

"The military had intelligence inputs about two militants present in the village," a police official said. "The moment they reached the village, militants fired upon them, wounding their two personnel."

The wounded troopers were immediately removed to military base hospital in Srinagar, reports said.

Following the attack, a gunfight broke out in the area, which continued until night, locals said. However, the gunfight stopped in wake of darkness.

"The gunfight had to be stopped because of night but early today we couldn't find anyone there," the official said. " Apparently it seems militants had given slip to us and escaped."

Last month militants shot dead three Indian policemen in the district.

Militant groups has been engaging in a guerrilla war with Indian troops in the region since 1989. Gunfight between the two sides takes place intermittently.

Two paramilitary troopers including a junior level officer of India's Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed last week after militants attacked them in Sangam of Anantnag district.

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