Gunfight breaks out in Indian-controlled Kashmir

A fierce gunfight between militants and Indian troops broke out Saturday in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The gunfight erupted at a Tral village in Pulwama district, about 42 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"This evening a gunfight broke out at village Hafoo-Nazneenpora of Tral," a police official told Xinhua.

"The gunfight broke out after contingents of India troops and police encircled a house on the intelligence information suggesting presence of militants in the area."

No sooner the news about the gunfight broke out, locals took to roads and clashed with police and paramilitary apparently in a bid to break cordon and help militants to escape.

Reports said during the clashes, youth snatched a rifle from a paramilitary trooper.

"Youth armed with sticks attacked a CRPF man at bus terminal in Tral and snatched his rifle," a local news agency quoted police officer as having said.

"Protests triggered near the terminal after protesters threw stones on the forces to prevent them from reaching the gunfight sight."

Locals said they heard sound of gunfire and blasts in the village.

"After hearing sound of bomb blasts and gunfire, we ran for safety and locked ourselves in our homes," Showkat Ahmad, a local said. "Outside firing is going on intermittently."

On Friday evening a similar gunfight broke out in Shopian. However, militants broke the cordon and escaped unhurt from the area. In the morning clashes broke out between locals and government forces. Police fired tear smoke shells and warning shots to chase the irate residents.

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. Endit