1st LD Writethru: 4 paramilitary troopers, 3 militants killed in Indian-controlled Kashmir militant attack

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Four paramilitary troopers of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and three militants were killed Sunday in a fierce gunfight in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.

The militants believed to be fidayeen (suicide attackers) stormed the CRPF camp early Sunday near Srinagar-Jammu highway at village Lethpora-Awantipora of district Pulwama, about 26 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

According to officials, three CRPF personnel were also wounded in fighting militants inside the camp.

"Four CRPF personnel were killed and three injured in today's attack," Rajesh Yadav, Srinagar-based spokesman of CRPF, told Xinhua. "We have also killed three militants involved in the attack and the operation is in the final stage."

The wounded paramilitary troopers were removed to an Indian army base hospital in Srinagar for treatment.

Locals living in the vicinity of the camp said the sound of gunfire and blasts from inside the camp could be heard from a distance.

Officials said militants stormed the camp at 2:00 a.m. local time with heavy gunfire and grenades.

Jaish-e-Mohammad militant outfit has claimed the responsibility of the attack. In a statement to local news organizations, the outfit said three of its militants have attacked the camp.

Region's police Police Chief Shesh Paul Vaid described the attack unfortunate and told media they had an input about an impending militant strike in the region for the past three days.

In a similar attack on district police lines complex in Pulwama in August this year, four CRPF personnel and four policemen were killed.

A guerrilla war has been going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in the region since 1989.

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. Enditem