SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- A militant was killed and a civilian wounded Friday in an ongoing gunfight and subsequent clashes in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.
The gunfight between militants and joint contingents of police and troops broke out at village Vailoo-Kokernag in Anantnag district, about 92 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"So far a militant has been killed and the operation is in progress," Indian army spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia told Xinhua.
According to police, the gunfight was triggered after troops and police cordoned off the village on specific intelligence information suggesting presence of militants.
Police officials suspected presence of two to three militants in the area.
Reports said while the gunfight was going on locals clashes with government forces apparently in a bid to help holed-up militants break the cordon and escape.
During the clashes a civilian was wounded and he was immediately removed to hospital.
A guerrilla war is going on 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.
