Roundup: 4 militants, trooper killed in Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight

Four militants and an Indian military trooper were killed Thursday in a fierce 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 Indian military officials, the group of militants were trying to infiltrate into Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"We have foiled a major infiltration bid in Tangdhar today and death toll of militants killed in gunfight has risen up to four," Indian military spokesman, Col N N Joshi told Xinhua. "The operation in the area is underway."

The trooper who was wounded fighting these militants in the morning has succumbed to his wounds in hospital.

"Unfortunately the trooper wounded in the morning firefight has succumbed," Joshi said.

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.

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