1st LD Writethru: 6 militants, trooper killed in two separate gunfights in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Six militants and an Indian military trooper were killed in two separate gunfights in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said Friday.

The gunfights raged in Nowgam sector of Kupwara district and Tangmarg area of Baramulla district, northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"In Nowgam sector a soldier has achieved martyrdom today fighting militants and death toll of militants has gone up to four," Indian military spokesman, Col N N Joshi told Xinhua. "In another gunfight at Tangmarg, two militants were killed and a soldier was wounded fighting them."

According to Joshi the wounded trooper was immediately provided medical aid and stated to be stable.

The gunfight in Nowgam sector broke out Thursday, after troopers guarding the Line of Control (LoC) intercepted a group of militants as they tried to sneak inside Indian-controlled Kashmir.

LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into India and Pakistan controlled parts.

The standoff in Tangmarg started on Friday morning.

The identity of slain militants and their group affiliation was not known immediately. Police officials said the slain militants at Kupwara were believed to be foreigners, while the ones gunned down at Tangmarg were local cadres.

Reports said the house at Tangmarg from where militants were firing on police and military positions was blasted using explosive devices.

Militant groups have been engaging in a guerilla war with Indian troops in the region since 1989. Gunfight between the two sides take 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. Endit