Gunfight breaks out in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Indiancontrolled Kashmir: A gunfight between militants and Indian troops yesterday broke out in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

According to Xinhua news agency, the firefight occurred at the Handwara village of frontier Kupwara district, about 80km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indiancontrolled Kashmir.

“A gunfight started early today between militants and joint contingents of the police and army in Shatgund Bala of Handwara here,” said a senior police official posted in Kupwara, adding that two to three militants were believed to have been trapped in the area.

Authorities have suspended mobile Internet service and closed schools and other educational institutions as precautionary measure.

“The gunfight is underway and details will be shared after its culmination,” the official said.

Officials said the village was cordoned off about 2.30am (local time) yesterday following specific intelligence information suggesting militant presence.

Meanwhile, a special police officer was shot and injured by suspected militants in southern Pulwama district late Wednesday night.

A guerilla war is ongoing between militants and Indian troopers stationed in the region since 1989.

However, of late Indian policemen too have been trained to fight them.

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. — Bernama