Four killed in gun battle in Kashmir

By Zahid Rafiq

SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir (AA) - Two civilians, a militant and a policeman have been killed in the disputed Jammu and Kashmir in a gun battle between the police and militants.

According to police officials, militants opened fire on a group of policemen who were clearing the traffic on a busy highway in Mir Bazar area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Saturday evening.

“Apparently three militants were involved in the attack. One militant was killed in the retaliatory fire by police, one more is believed to be injured. One policeman and two civilians lost their lives in the attack," SP Vaid, police chief of Jammu and Kashmir, told the media.

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 and 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.