SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Indian troops Thursday killed a militant in a gunfight in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.
The gunfight broke out at Gujjrapti Aragam area of Bandipora district, around 52 km north of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"Today a militant was killed in a gunfight with army in Bandipora district," an Indian army spokesman said. "The operation to hunt down militants was carried out in the wee hours at Chapran Gujjarpatti area of Aragam on the basis of specific information about the presence of militants."
Indian troops have not suffered any damage in the standoff, officials said.
Soon after the gunfight ended, local residents staged protests demanding body of the slain militant. However, police fired tear smoke shells to disperse the protestors that led to clashes.
Reports said scores of people were injured in police action and of them one critically injured was referred to Srinagar for specialized treatment.
Earlier Indian army stated it foiled two infiltration bids on Line of Control (LoC) dividing Kashmir.
"Even as counter infiltration operations continue in Uri and Nowgam, two more bids have been successfully foiled by army at two different places in Nowgam sector of Kupwara district," the spokesman said.
The gunfight came days after four gunmen stormed an Indian army base in Uri, killing 18 troopers and wounding over 20 others. The attack considered to be the deadliest in recent past in the restive region has heightened tensions in India with some Indian politicians and retired military officials demanding a strong reaction.
New Delhi blames Islamabad for the attack and accuses Pakistan based militants of carrying it out.
Currently Indian-controlled Kashmir is grappling with the violent unrest. The region has been witnessing the largest anti-India protests in recent years since July 8, following the killing of a popular militant commander in a gunfight with Indian troops.
Authorities have imposed curfew and restrictions to contain street protests, and the region is observing a complete shutdown demanding end to New Delhi's rule. Clashes between civilian protesters and government forces have so far resulted in killing of more than 80 people mostly young men and children, besides injuries to thousands of others.
Anti-India sentiment runs deep in the psyche of majority of Kashmiris. Irate residents defying curfew and restrictions took to roads and clashed with police. The youth threw stones and brickbated on contingents of police and paramilitary, who responded by firing tear smoke shells, pellets and bullets, which often proved fatal.
Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.
A separatist movement and guerilla war challenging New Delhi's rule is going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. Gunfights between the militants and Indian troops take place intermittently across the region.
