2 militants, trooper killed in Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight

Two militants and a trooper were killed in a fierce gunfight Friday in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.

The gunfight broke out at village Naidkhai-Hajin in Bandipora district, about 38 km north of Srinagar city.

"Two militants were killed in a gunfight today at Naidkhai-Hajin village," an army spokesman said. "A soldier was also killed fighting these militants."

The army spokesman claimed recovery of two assault rifles and some ammunition from the gunfight site.

Police officials said the area was cordoned off following intelligence inputs regarding presence of militants in the area.

Following the culmination of gunfight, hundreds of villagers took to streets to protest militant killings. The protesters shouted pro freedom and anti-India slogans.

Though bodies of slain militants were taken to a local police station, the villagers were seeking return of the bodies to be buried at local "martyrs" graveyard.

Reports said the protests were going on until last reports poured in. On Tuesday also two militants were killed in a similar gunfight in the village.

The gunfight comes at a time when armies of India and Pakistan indulge in deadly skirmishes on Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) almost on daily basis.

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