Indian security forces kill three militants in Kashmir

[News_Editor]

Indian security forces kill three militants in Kashmir

2011-03-13 01:31:24 GMT+7 (ICT)

SRINAGAR, KASHMIR (BNO NEWS) -- Indian security forces on Saturday killed three militants in separate operations in Shopian and Sopore areas of Indian-controlled Kashmir, Press Trust of India reported.

Officials said an encounter broke out between two hiding militants and security forces late last night and ended this morning with the killing of both militants. They were identified as Ishfaq Ahmad Chopan and Khursheed Ahmad Ittoo. Officials said the militants attacked policemen in Yaripora area of Kulgam district on Monday and snatched their weapons, which were recovered from the scene of the gun battle.

The two militants are said to belong to the Lashkar-e-Toiba militant outfit, which is blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attack that claimed 165 lives.

In a separate incident, an unidentified militant was killed after security forces launched an operation after receiving information about presence of militants in Muslim Peer area of Sopore town in Baramulla district. The officials said the militants took refuge in a medical shop and started firing on the security forces, according to Press Trust of India.

The killings come two days after two militants, including a top commander of Jaish-e- Mohammed militant outfit, were killed in Srinagar city by police.

A guerrilla war has been going on between militants and the Indian troops stationed in Muslim-majority Kashmir, which is divided into parts administered by India and Pakistan. The government says more than 45,000 people -including civilians, militants and troops - have died in the region over the past two decades.

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