Indian army says killed 2 militants in shootout in Kashmir

Indian forces have killed two suspected militants during a fierce gun battle in a northern town in Indian-administrated Kashmir.

Indian army spokesman Rajesh Kalia said on Sunday that the militants were killed in clashes with security forces near the town of Handwara, located about 70 kilometers from the main city of Srinagar.

The fierce fighting erupted after government forces surrounded a thickly forested area after receiving an intelligence tip-off, the spokesman added.

On May 4, thousands of Indian soldiers and paramilitary forces launched a huge operation against suspected militants across the violence-hit valley. The operation was launched early Thursday in Shopian district south of Srinagar.

Witnesses and local residents accused Indian troops of attacking private homes during the large-scale offensive.  

Indian troops are in constant clashes with fighters seeking independence in Kashmir. About 500,000 Indian soldiers are deployed in the disputed region.

Suspected militants are frequently killed in shoot-outs with Indian forces across the region, but they are only rarely captured alive.

SS