SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- A militant of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) was killed Saturday in a fierce gunfight with contingents of police and Indian army in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.
The gunfight between militants and government forces broke out at village Reben-Rafiabad in Baramulla district, about 55 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"Today a militant was killed in a gunfight triggered with police and Indian army at Reben-Rafiabad," a senior police official posted in Sopore told Xinhua.
Police said the search and cordon in the area was launched on specific intelligence information suggesting presence of militants.
Reports said Indian army or police have not suffered any damage in the stand-off.
Authorities have snapped internet service in the district, fearing it would mobilize people to stage protests in and around the area.
The slain militant was identified as a local cadre of the HM.
Witnesses said a residential house in which the militant was holed up was severely damaged in the exchange of heavy gunfire.
Meanwhile, protests broke out in the area against the killing of the militant.
The gunfight came at a time when Indian Federal Home Minister Rajnath Singh is on a four-day visit to the region. Singh arrived in Srinagar along with senior ministry officials on Saturday.
A local government official said Singh met Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and several delegations on the first day.
A guerilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. The gunfight between the two sides takes place intermittently across the region.
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.
