SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Two militants belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant outfit were killed Sunday in a fierce gunfight with troops in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.
The gunfight between militants and government forces broke out at village Tahab of Pulwama district, about 43 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"A gunfight triggered here today in which two militants were killed," Brigadier Harbeer Singh, an Indian army officer told media on spot.
"Soon after the cordon we offered the militants to surrender but they fired upon our troops, which was duly retaliated, resulting in their killing."
Police officials said the duo was inside a residential house and tried to break the cordon and escape, however, they could not find safe passage.
According to police spokesman, the area was cordoned off on specific intelligence inputs about presence of militants.
The slain militants were identified as local cadres of HM, the region's indigenous militant outfit.
Reports said a trooper was wounded in the standoff and he was immediately removed to hospital.
A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in the region since 1989. Gunfights often take place between the two sides.
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.
