Militant leader killed in clash with army in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Three militants including a top commander were killed and three Indian army troopers wounded Monday in a fierce gunbattle in Indian- controlled Kashmir, officials said. The clash took place at village Dooru of Sopore town, about 60 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian- controlled Kashmir. "Today in a gunfight our men killed three militants at Sopore," Lt. Col. N N Joshi, Srinagar based Indian army spokesman, said. " Three assault rifles and some ammunition have been recovered from the site." The gunfight broke out Monday afternoon after contingents of police and Indian army cordoned off village to carry out search operation. Police said the operation was launched on specific intelligence inputs suggesting presence of militants in the village. "The gunfight lasted for more than four hours," said a senior police officer posted in the area. "Three Indian army troopers were also wounded fighting the militants."However, Joshi said the two troopers were wounded in standoff and they were immediately hospitalized. "They have been treated and are stable now," said Joshi. Reports pouring in from the village said a residential house from where militants were firing at the army and police positions was damaged due to heavy exchange of fire and mortars. A Srinagar based police spokesman said the slain militants were affiliated with Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militant outfit. "Three foreign militants of JeM including the Divisional Commander of Abu Hassan were killed in a gunfight in Dooru Sopore today," said the spokesman. Police sources said five militants were present in the area, but two managed to break off cordon and escaped from the village. Last year 73 suspected militants were killed in the restive region. A junior level Indian police officer was killed and three policemen were wounded during a similar gunfight in the town last week. The militants later on broke off the cordon and escaped. A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. Gunfight between the two sides takes place intermittently across the region. Last year, violence claimed 204 lives in the restive region. Of the 204 killed, 48 were civilians, 73 suspected militants, one unidentified and 82 Indian troopers.