Indian troops kill militant in Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight

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SRINAGAR, Aug. 7, 2017 (BSS/XINHUA) – A militant belonging to Lashkar-e- Toiba (LeT) militant outfit was killed in an overnight fierce gunfight with Indian troops in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said Monday.

The gunfight between militants and joint contingents of police and army broke out Sunday night at Samboora village of Pulwama district, about 28 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

“In an overnight gunfight, one militant of LeT was killed at Samboora,” a police spokesman said.

Police said the search and cordon in the area was launched on specific intelligence information suggesting presence of militants.

“The hiding militants opened fire on the joint search party, triggering a gunfight, during which the militant was killed,” the spokesman said. “Their slain militant has been identified as a foreign national.”

Officials said government forces have not suffered any damage in the stand- off.

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.