SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Three militants of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and an Indian policeman were killed, and two paramilitary troopers of India's Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and a policeman wounded in a fierce gunfight in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said Tuesday.
The gunfight broke out early Monday at village Mandoora in district Pulwama, around 42 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"The 12-hour-long gunfight concluded last evening at village Mandoora and all the three holed up militants including their commander were killed," said a senior police officer. "One policeman has laid down his life fighting these militants. Two CRPF men and a policeman were also wounded in the exchange of fire. "
A police spokesman said contingents of police, Indian army and CRPF launched a search operation in the village following intelligence inputs that militants were present there. However, the searching parties launched an offensive to track down militants after sensing some suspicious movement inside a house.
The exchange of fire between two sides lasted until Monday evening with militants intermittently targeting positions of troopers from the besieged house that was finally blasted.
"Bodies of three militants were retrieved from the encounter site and the house in which militants were hiding got damaged," the spokesman said.
The slain militants were identified as Shabir Ahmad Bhat, the district commander of HM, Shahnawaz Mir and Aijaz Laway.
HM is the indigenous militant group fighting against Indian rule in the region.
Last week militants of HM ambushed an Indian army convoy in Srinagar city and killed eight troopers and wounded several others.
The gunfight between militants and Indian army in Indian- controlled Kashmir takes place intermittently. A guerrilla war has been going on between militants and the Indian troops stationed in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989.
China's weekly story (2013 6.22-6.28)
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