SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Four militants and a para army commando were killed and two troopers wounded Tuesday in a fierce gunfight between them in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.
The gunfight broke out early morning at village Nadigam of Shopian district, about 54 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"Government forces early this morning launched a cordon and search operation in Nadigam village on credible inputs about the presence of militants. As the search operation was going on, hiding militants fired upon the search party, thereby triggering a gunfight," a senior police official posted in Shopian told Xinhua.
"In the ensuing gunfight four militants were killed while as a para army commando was killed and two troopers wounded fighting these militants."
The wounded troopers, according to reports, were immediately sent to hospital.
The identity of slain militants was being ascertained.
"The search operation is still underway and we are trying to ascertain the identity of slain militants," the police official said.
Locals said the house from where militants were firing on positions of army and police have been damaged and columns of smoke were seen rising from its structure.
Reports said clashes have broke out between youth and government forces in the village following the killing of militants, which were going on until last reports poured in.
Authorities have suspended mobile Internet services in Shopian and adjacent Pulwama district, fearing it would escalate the street protests.
On Sunday also two militants were killed in Shopian in a similar gunfight.
A guerilla war is going on between militants and Indian troopers 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.
