4 militants, 4 troopers killed in twin gunfights in Indian-controlled Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) - - Four militants and four troopers were killed Tuesday in two separate gunfights in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Three militants and an Indian army officer were killed Tuesday late afternoon at village Kralgund of Handwara in frontier Kupwara district, about 72 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

This was the second gunfight during the day and a total of eight deaths were reported in these gunfights.

"In another gunfight today we have killed three militants in Handwara," Indian military spokesman in Srinagar, Col Rajesh Kalia told Xinhua.

"One of our soldiers of the rank of Major who was leading the fight against militants was also wounded in the firefight but later on he succumbed to his wounds in hospital."

Earlier in the day three Indian army troopers and a militant were killed in a fierce gunfight in region's Bandipora district.

According to army officials five troopers were also wounded in the standoff. Local media reports said four policemen, an officer of paramilitary and a civilian were also wounded during the gunfight and subsequent protests.

Indian Defense and police officials said the locality was cordoned off on specific intelligence information suggesting presence of militants in a house.

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

A guerilla 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