SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Three militants were killed in two separate gunfights with contingents of Indian troops and police Monday in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.
Two militants were killed in an ongoing gunfight at village Gatipora of Shopian district, about 55 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"So far two militants were killed in an ongoing gunfight with contingents of police and army, a police spokesman said. "The gunfight triggered after joint contingents cordoned off the area on specific intelligence inputs suggesting presence of militants."
Reports pouring in from the area said sound of gunfire and blasts was audible from a distance.
Police suspects presence of one more militant in the area.
The identity of slain militants was being ascertained.
Meanwhile in another gunfight a militant commander was killed in village Ladoora of Sopore, about 50 km northwest of Baramulla district.
"Acting on a specific input regarding the movement of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief operational commander in the general area of Ladoora, Sopore police laid a barricade but was fired upon by militants. However, in the retaliatory fire the militant commander was killed."
Police said the slain commander was involved in the civilian killings and attacks on policemen.
Early in the morning a junior commissioned officer of Indian army was killed in a gunfight with militants in Budgam district.
A guerilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in Indian- controlled Kashmir since 1989. The gunfight between the two sides takes place intermittently across the region.
Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.
