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KASHMIR-MILITANT-DEATH
5 militants killed in ongoing Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight
SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Aug. 4, 2018 (BSS/XINHUA) – Five
militants were killed on Saturday in an ongoing fierce gunfight with
contingents of government forces in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir,
officials said.
The gunfight broke out Friday night in village Kiloora of Shopian
district, about 57 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-
controlled Kashmir.
“In a fierce gunfight in Shopian, five militants have been killed,” Indian
army spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia told Xinhua. “One militant was killed
during night and four others were killed in the morning during the fresh
exchange of fire.”
According to police, the militants holed up in a house inside an orchard
fired upon the contingents of police and army.
The area was cordoned off on specific intelligence inputs suggesting
presence of militants, police said.
Officials said Indian army and police have not suffered any casualties in
the stand-off.
The identity of slain militants was being ascertained. However, police
said they were affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba.
“The search operation is still underway in the area,” a police official
said.
Two militants and an Indian army trooper were killed on Friday in a
similar gunfight in Sopore of Baramulla district.
Militant groups opposing New Delhi’s rule have been engaged in a guerrilla
war with Indian troops in the region since 1989. Gunfight between the two
sides takes place intermittently.
BSS/XINHUA/GMR/1045 hrs