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Militant killed, trooper wounded in Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight

Xinhua, March 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

A militant belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant outfit was killed and a trooper wounded in fierce gunfight in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said Monday.

The gunfight broke out late Sunday evening when joint contingents of Indian military and police cordoned off village Buchroo in Kulgam district, about 62 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"On specific information a cordon and search operation was launched at Buchroo village here, which turned into gunfight, resulting in killing of a wanted militant Dawood Ahmad Sheikh," a senior police official told Xinhua, adding "A trooper wounded in the gunfight has been immediately removed to military hospital and is undergoing treatment."

Senior police official Javed Mujtaba Gillani told India's official broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) that 21-year-old Sheikh was active since 2014.

"He was most wanted militant involved in a number of killings of army and police personnel," the broadcaster quoted Gillani as saying.

Local newspapers said people tried to break the cordon in a bid to help militants escape, however police fired tear smoke shells and warning shots to disperse the agitators.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people participated in the funeral procession of Sheikh on Monday morning. Young men and women who had gathered in the village to mourn his death shouted anti-India and pro-freedom slogans.

HM is the region's indigenous militant outfit. Last week, three militants of the group were killed in a similar gunfight at Dadsara of Tral in Pulwama district.

A guerilla 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