3 militants, trooper killed in Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Three militants and a trooper were killed, while another trooper was wounded in a gunfight in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said Tuesday.

The gunfight erupted Monday evening at village Nussu Badergund of Qazigund in Anantnag district, about 75 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Today we have recovered body of the third militant at the gunfight site in village Nussu Badergund of Qazigund and have caught one militant alive in wounded condition," a senior police official said.

According to region's Police Chief Shesh Paul Vaid, of the three slain militants, two were foreigners and one was a local cadre.

The gunfight triggered after militants ambushed an army convoy near Bounigam village in the vicinity, wounding an Indian army trooper. However, army chased the militants, who took refuge inside a residential house.

The government forces cordoned off the area and the suspected house, besides bringing in reinforcements to take on militants present there.

The stand-off continued for several hours, during which a trooper was killed.

Police said protests broke out in the village during the gunfight with locals clashing with government forces.

Police officials said the slain militants were involved in the attack on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in the region in July this year.

Anti-India sentiment runs deep in the psyche of majority of Kashmiris. Irate residents defying curfew and restrictions took to roads and clash with police.

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. Enditem