3 Militants Killed in Kashmir Gunfight

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Sept 26: Three militants were killed in a fierce gunfight with Indian army at Bandipora in North Kashmir while a heavy exchange of fire was going on between soldiers and militants in South Kashmir.

An Indian army spokesman said that on a specific inputs, army personnel laid siege around of the high altitude area between Bandipora and Kangan in north Kashmir and launched combing and search operations.

He said that during the combing operation, they came under heavy fire from militants hiding in the besieged area. The fire was returned by the troops and in the ensuing gunfight, three militants were killed.

However, the identity of the slain militants and the outfit to which they owe allegiance could not be known.

Meanwhile, a police officer stated that an encounter is going on between two holed up militants owing allegiance to Pakistan based militant group, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Indian army and police men.

He said that heavy exchange of fire was going on when reports last poured in. He said that additional troopers were rushed to the area to flush out the hiding militants.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.

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