2 militants killed, trooper wounded in ongoing gunfight in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Two militants were killed and a trooper was wounded Thursday in a fresh gunfight near the Line of Control (LoC) dividing Kashmir, officials said.

The gunfight broke out at Tangdhar area of the frontier Kupwara district, about 155 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

According to an Indian military spokesman, the militants were trying to infiltrate into Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"We have foiled another infiltration bid in Tangdhar today by killing two militants," the military spokesman said, adding, "While fighting militants, a trooper was also wounded."

Officials said the operation in the area was underway to trace the remaining militants.

On Wednesday, a militant and an Indian military trooper were killed, while four troopers were wounded in a similar gunfight in Machil sector of the district.

"The operation in Machil is also going on since Tuesday, but no fresh contact could be established," a military official said.

Reports said the Indian army has launched intensive searches at both the places to take on militants.

LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into India- and Pakistan- controlled parts. Militant groups are engaged in a guerilla 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