3 militants killed in two separate gunfights in Indian-controlled Kashmir

SRINAGAR, INDIAN-CONTROLLED KASHMIR: NOV. 12 – Three militants were killed in two separate gunfights with government forces in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said Friday.

According to the police, the first gunfight broke out Thursday evening at the Chawalgam area of Kulgam district, about 70 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

While the standoff was underway, the second gunfight broke out at Bemina locality of Srinagar hours later during the night.

“Two militants were killed in Kulgam gunfight and one militant was killed in Srinagar’s Bemina,” a police officer said. “The gunfights started yesterday and concluded this morning.”

The slain militants were identified as local cadres.

Last Sunday, unidentified gunmen shot dead a policeman in Srinagar. Later on, a civilian was also gunned down in the city. The killings were seen as part of a series of targeted killings carried out in the region last month.

Police blamed militants for the killings.

Reports said more than 50 new companies of paramilitary troopers are being deployed to the troubled region and new bunkers are coming up in Srinagar city.

Internet service in parts of Srinagar and other areas has been restricted. Authorities say the move has been necessitated by the recent spate of target killings.

A guerilla war has been 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 countries in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.

-Xinhua