Indian trooper, militant killed in ongoing gunfight near Kashmir LoC

A militant and Indian military trooper were killed, while as four troopers were wounded Wednesday in a fierce gunfight near Line of Control (LoC) dividing Kashmir, officials said.

The gunfight broke out on Tuesday in Machil sector of frontier Kupwara district, about 165 Km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Indian army yesterday intercepted a group of militants in forest area of Machil sector and upon challenging them, the group fired indiscriminately which resulted in wounding five troopers," an official said. "Though all the five were immediately evacuated to hospital, however later on one of them succumbed to his wounds."

Following the fierce gunfight, additional contingents were rushed to the area to take on militant group. Reports said the group is believed to be comprising of four to five militants.

"The gunfight is going on and so far one militant has been killed today," the official said.

The identity of the slain militant was not known immediately.

LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into India and Pakistan controlled parts. Militant groups are engaged in guerrilla war with Indian troops in the region since 1989.

Gunfight between the two sides takes 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