Gunfight ends in Indian-controlled Kashmir, 3 militants killed

A two-day long fierce gunfight Friday ended in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir with the killing of three militants, officials said.

Police, however said they have recovered only two bodies from the debris of the house destroyed in gunfight.

"In the search operation, two bodies of the militants and three assault rifles were recovered so far," a police spokesman said.

The gunfight broke out Wednesday evening at village Hassanpora near Bijbehara town in Anantnag district, about 47 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Locals said the bodies were disfigured beyond recognition. People from two villages in nearby Kulgam district claimed the bodies and performed their funeral prayers, reports said. The bodies of two militants have been identified as local cadres of Lashkar-e-Toiba militant outfit.

According to police spokesman DNA samples from the bodies of slain militants were collected for their identification.

On Thursday a civilian was killed and several others injured after government forces fired shotgun pellets, tear smoke shells and warning shots to disperse rock-throwing protesters who tried to break the cordon to help militants escape.

Police said the civilian was killed after being hit by a stray bullet.

Following the culmination of gunfight protests and clashes broke out in the village and nearby areas.

Contingents of Indian police and army cordoned off the village Wednesday evening. According to police officials the operation was initiated on specific intelligence information regarding presence of militants in the area.

Locals said the house from where the militants were firing on police and army positions has been completely destroyed due to heavy shelling and detonation of explosive devices.

"The firing began Wednesday evening and continued on Thursday and Friday," a local resident Abdul Rehman told Xinhua. "We heard sound of gunfire and mortar shells during these two days."

Officials said Indian army and police have not suffered any damage in the gunfight.

In July this year killing of a top militant commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani triggered a wave of violence and anti-India protests. At least 90 people most of them teenagers were killed and over 14,000 injured (including those blinded and maimed) in police and paramilitary shooting while controlling public protests.

Each death has triggered more protests despite government measures to impose a strict curfew across the towns.

A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. The gunfight between the two sides takes place intermittently across the region.

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