2 killed in Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Two militants were killed Saturday in a fierce gunfight with Indian troops and police in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The gunfight broke out in the morning at village Tikena of Pulwama district, about 38 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Government forces this morning launched a cordon and search operation in Tikena village on credible inputs about the presence of militants. As the search operation was going on, hiding militants fired upon the search party, thereby triggering a gunfight," a senior police official posted in Pulwama told Xinhua. "In the ensuing gunfight two militants were killed."

The slain militants were identified as local cadres of the region's indigenous militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen.

The police officer said contingents of Indian army or police have not suffered any damage during the stand-off.

On Friday evening, a militant was killed and a policeman wounded in a similar gunfight in the district's Tral area.

Meanwhile, a spontaneous shutdown was observed across the district against the militant killings.

Reports pouring in from Pulwama said all shops and commercial establishments have been closed and movement of traffic remained affected to a large extent.

A guerilla war is going on between militants and Indian troopers stationed in the region since 1989.