Kashmiri people carry the body of a militant during his funeral procession at a village in Pulwama district, about 30 km south of Srinagar, summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, July 16, 2017. Three militants were killed Saturday in a fierce gunfight with troops in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)
SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, July 15 (Xinhua) -- Three militants were killed Saturday in a fierce gunfight with troops in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.
The gunfight between militants and government forces broke out at Satoora village of Tral in Pulwama district, about 50 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"A gunfight triggered at Satoora-Tral today in which three militants were killed," a police spokesman said. "The stand-off was going on in the forest area."
According to police spokesman, the area was cordoned off on specific intelligence inputs about presence of militants.
The identity of slain militants was being ascertained.
Reports said while the gunfight was going on, villagers hit the roads and tried to march to the gunfight sight to clash with government forces to help militants escape but they were chased by police. Police fired dozens of tear smoke shells and warning shots to chase the protesters. Six people were reportedly injured in the clashes.
According to police, government forces have not suffered any damage during the stand-off.
On Wednesday, three militants were killed in a gunfight in Budgam district.
Meanwhile, a paramilitary trooper of India's Central Reserve Police Force was wounded Saturday evening after militants hurled a grenade towards them in Kulgam town.
So far no militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack.
A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in the region since 1989. Gunfights often take place between the two sides.
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.
