Gun battle leaves four dead in Indian-administered Kashmir

News January 28, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

At least four people have been killed in fierce exchange of fire between a group of armed men and New Delhi’s security forces in the disputed Indian-administered Kashmir.

Indian soldiers and police launched an operation Tuesday based on intelligence that a group of fighters were present in the village of Hundoora, near the region’s main city of Srinagar.

The violent clashes started after Kashmir fighters opened fire on the troops surrounding a house in the area.

Indian security sources say an army colonel, a senior police officer and two Kashmiri fighters were killed during the fierce clashes in the disputed region.

“During the ensuing gun battle two terrorists and an army colonel were killed,” media outlets quoted a top Indian security official as saying on Wednesday.

A police officer wounded during the firing died in hospital, the official added.

Kashmir has been the scene of violent clashes in recent years. Indian troops are in constant clashes with the fighters seeking independence in the area.

The New Delhi government forces have also responded by imposing curfews and restrictions on the movement of people.

Indian authorities have deployed police and paramilitary troops to most parts of Srinagar and several other major towns to prevent street demonstrations.

Kashmir lies at the heart of more than 67 years of hostility between India and Pakistan. Both neighbors claim the region in full but have partial control over it.

The neighbors agreed on a ceasefire in 2003, and launched a peace process the following year. Since then, there have been sporadic clashes, with both sides accusing the other of violating the ceasefire.

Thousands of people have been killed in Kashmir unrest over the past two decades.

JR/HSN/SS