SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Four troopers including an officer were killed on Monday in a fierce gunfight with militants in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.
The gunfight erupted early on Monday at village Pinglan of Pulwama district, about 30 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"In a gunfight that broke out here early today three army troopers and an officer of the rank of major were killed," a senior police official posted in Pulwama told Xinhua. "The gunfight is underway in the area."
According to the police, contingents of army cordoned off the village on specific intelligence information suggesting presence of militants.
"No sooner the government forces zeroed in on suspected area, the militants present there fired upon the advanced contingent wounding four personnel," the official said. "Though the personnel were removed to hospital, they succumbed there."
Reports said three militants were believed to be trapped in the area.
Unconfirmed reports said a civilian was also killed in the gunfight.
The gunfight comes four days after a suicide bomber carried out car bomb blast targeting paramilitary convoy in the district, killing at least 40 troopers.
A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troopers stationed in the region since 1989.
