Kashmir policeman and militant die in gunfight

Two people were killed in India’s disputed Kashmir region yesterday in the first clash since the federal government scrapped the northern territory’s autonomy.

Police said a gunfight in Baramulla, 33 miles west of Srinagar, erupted on Tuesday evening after an armed militant fired on a police search party. In the ensuing battle, which lasted more than eight hours, the militant was shot dead. Two policemen were wounded, with one dying later in hospital.