2nd LD Writethru: 3 Indian troopers, militant killed in Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight

At least three Indian army troopers and a militant were killed while as five troopers wounded Tuesday in a fierce gunfight between militants and Indian troops in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir.

The gunfight erupted at village Hajin in Bandipora district, about 32 km north of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"In today's gunfight we have killed a militant," Indian military spokesman in Srinagar Col Rajesh Kalia told Xinhua. "While fighting the militants, our three soldiers were also killed and five others wounded."

The wounded troopers were immediately removed to military base hospital in Srinagar.

Officials said the village was cordoned off on specific intelligence information suggesting presence of militants in a house.

"No sooner we reached near the house, militants hurled a grenade and gunfight started," a police official said. "The gunfight has ended with the killing of militant."

Local media reports said a paramilitary trooper and four policemen were also wounded in the standoff.

On Sunday four militants, two troopers and two civilians were killed in a similar gunfight and subsequent protests in the region.

A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in Indian- controlled Kashmir since 1989. 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