1st LD Writethru: Indian troops kill 3 militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight

Three militants belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit (HM) were killed in a predawn gunfight with Indian troops Saturday in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The gunfight between militants and troops broke out early Saturday at village Panzgam of Pulwama district, about 38 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Three militants were gunned down during a predawn gunfight in Panzgam village today," a senior police official posted in Awantipora said. "The gunfight broke out after joint contingents of police and army cordoned off the area and zeroed on a house where three militants were present."

Indian police and troopers according to officials have not suffered any damage in the stand-off.

According to police officials, the operation was carried out following intelligence inputs suggesting presence of militants in the village.

Locals said the exchange of gunfight started early and ended by the morning.

Reports said the house from where militants were firing on army and police positions has been completely damaged by troops.

Police officials said they have recovered three assault rifles from the gunfight site.

The slain militants were identified as local cadres of HM, the region's indigenous militant outfit.

Following the news of militant killings, locals took to roads to stage protests and angry youth threw stones at government forces.

Police fired dozens of tear smoke shells and warning shots to disperse protesters.

Hundreds of protesters including women shouted anti-India slogans during protests.

Meanwhile, a domestic train service was suspended in wake of the clashes and protests.

A teenager was wounded after an unexploded grenade went off at the gunfight site following the culmination of gunfight, officials said.

The boy according to locals was immediately rushed to hospital for treatment.

On Friday, an Indian military trooper was killed while foiling an infiltration bid by heavily armed militants along Line of Control (LoC) in frontier Kupwara district, officials said.

Militant groups have been engaged in guerilla war with Indian troops in the region since 1989. Endit