Two militants killed in Kashmir clash

Two militants killed in Kashmir clash

2011-07-09 23:09:54 GMT+7 (ICT)

SRINAGAR, INDIA (BNO NEWS) -- Two militants of the Jash-e-Muhammad (JeM) group were killed and an army major injured on Friday night in a gun battle in India-administered Kashmir, the Hindustan Times reported.

The gun battle between security forces and militants broke out in the southern Pulwama district on Friday night after the army and the police surrounded Bongam village the previous night. The operation was launched after a tip-off about the militants' presence in the area.

Army's Srinagar-based spokesman JS Brar said that the two militants killed, who had taken refuge in a built up area, were asked to surrender but they opened fire. In the exchange of fire, an army major also received injuries.

The dead militants were identified as Ashan Bhai, a resident of Pakistan, and Javed Mangroo, a local. "Ashan Bhai was a top terrorist active in the area for over ten years. Two AK-47 rifles were recovered from their possession," said Brar.

Militant groups are usually blamed for attacks in the region. 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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