Militants kill Indian military officer in Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight

An Indian military officer was killed Tuesday in an ongoing gunfight with militants in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.

The gunfight broke out at Manigah forest area of frontier Kupwara district, about 135 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Colonel Santosh Mahadik today attained martyrdom while leading his troops in an fierce encounter with a group of three militants in Manigah forest area of Kupwara district," Indian military spokesman Col. N N Joshi said. "Colonel Mahadik, the commanding officer made the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian military."

Officials said the gun battle in the area started last week after contingents of Indian military and police launched a search operation on intelligence inputs suggesting presence of militants.

"The first confrontation began last week, following which militants went into hiding," a police official said. "Today again the contact with militants was established and exchange of fire took place."

On Saturday, according to Joshi, two troopers were wounded fighting militants in the forest.

Reports said a policeman was also wounded in the area.

"Search operation in the area is under way," police officials said.

A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. Gunfights between the two sides take place intermittently across the region.

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. Endit