Forces kill 3 civilians, militant in Indian-controlled Kashmir

At least three civilians and a militant were killed Tuesday in daylong clashes and gunfight respectively with government forces in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The gunfight and clashes broke out at village Durbugh in Chadoora of Budgam district, about 22 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

According to officials a trooper was wounded fighting the holed up militant, while as over two dozen civilians were wounded after police and Indian troops fired upon civilian protesters in the village.

"One militant was killed during a gunfight with troops today in Chadoora," Indian army spokesman, Col Rajesh Kalia told Xinhua. "The gunfight has ended and operation called off."

Clashes erupted in the village immediately after the gunfight broke out. Police officials said the locals mostly youth took to roads shouting anti-India slogans and attacked policemen and Indian army troopers in an apparent bid to end the cordon and help besieged militant to escape. The government forces fired bullets, pellets and dozens of tear smoke shells to chase the protesters, which killed three young men besides wounding several others.

"Three civilians were brought dead to our hospital and 17 others having fire arm wounds have been hospitalised here," Nazir Hussain Chowdary medical superintendent at Srinagar's SMHS hospital said.

Health officials said five others have been admitted at Srinagar's Bone and Joint hospital, besides others at district hospital Budgam. Local media reports put the number of wounded in the clashes beyond 22.

According to Kalia, the village was cordoned off early Tuesday following specific intelligence information about presence of militants in the area.

Locals said the house from where the militant was firing on army and police positions has been damaged fully due to mortar shelling and bomb blasts.

"The gunfight was going on through out the day and the entire area reverberated with sound of blasts and gunfire," Mussaib Hussain said in a telephonic interview from the village. "Several other houses in the neighborhood have also suffered damages."

The slain militant has been identified as a local cadre of Lashkar-e-Toiba.

Meanwhile, the civilian killings have intensified protests in the area and outskirts with people pouring in large numbers to participate in the demonstrations.

Anti-India sentiment runs deep in the psyche of majority of Kashmiris. Irate residents threw stones and brickbats on contingents of police and paramilitary during protests, who respond by firing tear smoke shells, pellets and bullets, which often proves fatal.

The region's separatist leaders have jointly condemned the civilian killings, describing it "brazen state terrorism" and called for a complete shutdown on Wednesday in protest.

A separatist movement and guerilla war challenging New Delhi's rule is going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989.

People assembling at gunfight sites in support of militants and attacking government forces with stones has evolved as a new phenomenon of resistance in the region. Last month, the Indian army chief General Bipin Rawat warned that "tough action" would be taken against youth throwing stones during counterinsurgency operations. But the anti-India protests and clashes have continued. Despite reprimand from police and army to stay away from gunfight sites, people continue to ignore calls and readily defy restrictions.

On Sunday, two militants belonging to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) outfit were killed in a gunfight with police in adjacent Pulwama district. Thousands of people participated in the funeral prayers of these slain militants on Monday.

Meanwhile, region's Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has described the killings "highly unfortunate" and expressed deep anguish and grief.

"It is highly painful to see the young boys losing their lives," she said. "We know there are issues that need to be addressed and resolved but no one will be able to do anything at a point when violence becomes a norm. There is a need for restrain from all sides so that conducive atmosphere is created and dissent is addressed in a peaceful way."

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.