Published: August 23, 2009

2 Infiltrating Militants Killed in Kashmir Gunfight

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Srinagar, Aug 23: Two militants, who were trying to sneak into Kashmir from Pakistani controlled Kashmir, were killed in an encounter with the Indian army in restive Kashmir on Sunday.

Indian army officials, pleading anonymity, said, "Army soldiers detected a group of militants trying to sneak into this side of Kashmir at Sonapindi area of Machil sector in North Kashmir. The militants were signaled to stop. They, however, turned down the offer and fired from automatic weapons towards the soldiers. The fire was returned by the soldiers, triggering an encounter. In the ensuing gunfight two militants were killed in the gunfight".

The official said that the identity of the slain militants and the outfit to which they owe allegiance could not be known.

Indian army spokesman based in Srinagar, Lt Col J S Brar said the encounter broke out in the early morning and two militants were killed in the initial gunfight. "The militants were a part of infiltrating group," he said.

"The combing operation to trace the left over group is going on," he added.

The Indian army has put its men on high alert along the Line of Control, the defacto border between India and Pakistan. More than 15 militants and three soldiers have been killed in fierce gunfights along the defacto border in North Kashmir during the recent past.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.