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Indian troops kill four militants in disputed Kashmir

Indian paramilitary troopers look on near a brief gunfight between militants and Indian government forces on the outskirts of Srinagar on September 14, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Indian soldiers have killed at least four militants during a two-day gun battle near the heavily militarized de-facto border in Kashmir, known as the Line of Control (LoC), which divides the Himalayan region between India and Pakistan.

A police statement said on Monday that three militants had been killed Sunday at three different locations.

"With killing of all the three terrorists who appear to be Pakistanis, a major terrorist attack was averted," read the statement.

Colonel Rajesh Kalia, an Indian army spokesman, said Monday that the fourth militant had been killed during the search operation of the region.

Sources said that four civilians and a soldier were also wounded during the shoot-outs.

Indian soldiers launched a massive search operation after they were tipped off on Saturday about the movement of armed men near the Line of Control.

Last month, three militants attacked a police base in the southern part of Kashmir valley, killing eight Indian soldiers. The attackers were also killed in the firefight.

An Indian paramilitary trooper prepares to fire tear smoke shells towards Kashmiri youths during clashes between protesters and Indian government forces in Srinagar on September 2, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

The Muslim-majority region has witnessed an increase in mass protests and violent attacks since early July 2016, when Burhan Wani, a top figure in a pro-independence group, was killed in a shoot-out with Indian troops.

Over 100 people have lost their lives and more than 12,000 others injured in the ensuing crackdown.

Tensions are high in Kashmir, where the Muslim-majority population stages regular protests against Indian rule.

India accuses Pakistan of arming and training militants and allowing them across the restive frontier in an attempt to launch attacks on Indian forces. Pakistan strongly denies the allegation.

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan but claimed in full by both since the two partitioned and gained independence from Britain in 1947. The two countries have fought three wars over the disputed territory.


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