Gunfight breaks out in Indian-controlled Kashmir

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SRINAGAR, Sept. 9, 2017 (BSS/XINHUA) – A gunfight between militants and Indian troops broke out on Saturday in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The gunfight erupted at village Reben- Rafiabad in Baramulla district, about 55 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

“A gunfight is underway between militants and government forces in village Reben- Rafiabad near Sopore here,” a police official said. “The army and police contingents cordoned off the area this morning on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of militants. As the contingents moved closer to the suspected area, it was fired upon, triggering a gunfight.”

Police officials suspect two militants are holed up in the area.

“We are hearing gunfire sound,” Ghulam Mohammed, a local resident told Xinhua over telephone.

On Monday two militants were killed in a similar gunfight at Chak Brath village of Sopore.

The gunfight comes ahead of Indian Federal Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s four-day visit to the region. Singh is scheduled to arrive Saturday in Srinagar along with senior ministry officials. He will meet region’s Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti during his visit.

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.