'5 militants' killed in Jammu Kashmir gunbattles

By Zahid Rafiq

SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir (AA) - Five suspected militants were killed in two separate alleged gunbattles with Indian armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir region Thursday, according to Indian Army.

Army spokesman Col. Rajesh Kalia told Anadolu Agency four suspected militants were killed in a gunbattle in Futlipora village of Pakherpora in Budgam district in the morning while another militant was killed in Sopore in northern Kashmir.

A paramilitary commando also got wounded in the clash.

The four suspected militants killed in Futlipora belonged to Jaish-e-Muhammad militant group while the other killed in Sopore belonged to Lashkar-e-Toiba, the spokesman added.

Hundreds of people in Futlipora village took to the streets after the news of the killing spread.

They chanted slogans for independence from India and clashed with Indian armed forces.

Eight civilians were reportedly hospitalized after the clashes near the site of the gunbattle in Futlipora village.

The regional government suspended Internet services in Budgam and Pulwama districts.

At least 200 militants were killed this year in the disputed valley, according to military figures.

Kashmir, a Muslim-majority Himalayan region, is held by India and Pakistan in parts and claimed by both in full. A small sliver of Kashmir is also held by China.

The two countries have fought three wars -- in 1948, 1965 and 1971 -- since they were partitioned in 1947, two of which were fought over Kashmir.

Kashmiri resistance groups in Jammu-Kashmir have been fighting against Indian rule for independence or for unification with neighboring Pakistan.

More than 70,000 people have reportedly been killed in the conflict since 1989. India maintains more than half a million troops in the disputed region.