Two Civilians, Photo-Journalist Among Seven Killed in Kashmir Gunfights

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, May 11: Two civilians, three militants and a photo-journalist of a local English newspaper are among 7 persons killed in two separate gunfights in Kashmir.

In the first gunfight, police said that some heavily armed militants infiltrated into this side of Kashmir in the Samba sector and barged into the house of a pro-Indian leader at village, Kehli Mandi about 220 kms from Srinagar. Police said that the militants shot dead the pro-Indian leader identified as Hoshiyar Singh and his wife Sheshi Balla.

Police said that army came to know about the infiltration of militants and sealed the house where the militants were holed-up. The militants were asked to surrender. They, however, turned down the offer and fired from sophisticated weapons towards the soldiers. The fire was returned and the fierce exchange of fire between the militants and the Indian army personnel was going on, when reports last poured in.

A photo-journalist of a local English daily, Excelsior, identified as Ashok Sodhi, who was covering the incident was hit by a bullet and was taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to injuries. "An Indian army soldier and a militant were killed in the gunfight so far," the police sources said.

It was not immediately known which side of bullet pierced the photo-journalist.

They said that unspecified number of militants are present inside the house. Unconfirmed reports said that two to four militants were present in the house.

An Indian army officer and three soldiers were injured in the gunfight and have been hospitalized.

Additional troops have been rushed to the spot to tighten the siege and prevent the militants from escaping from the area.

The Kashmir Press Photographers Association (KPPA) has expressed shock and grief over the death of the photo-journalist in the gunfight.

Meanwhile, a top police officer of North Kashmir said that police and Indian army personnel killed two militants during a fierce gunfight in the forest area of Garbar, Top of Dardsun Kralapora, some 80 kms from Srinagar. "The encounter is going on", said the police officer, Vijay Kumar.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.

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