Two militants killed in Kashmir on India’s Republic Day

By Zahid Rafiq

SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir (AA) - Two militants were killed by the Indian forces on the outskirts of Jammu and Kashmir’s capital on Saturday, police said.

In a statement, the police said a cordon and search operation was launched after receiving a tip about the presence of militants in Khonmoh area.

“In the ensuing encounter, two militants were killed and the bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter. Their identities and affiliations are being ascertained,” the statement added.

The killings came the day when India celebrates its 70th Republic Day. Kashmiris observe shutdown on the Indian national days to protest against the Indian rule in the region.

Today’s killings raised the total number of militants killed in the region to 11 over the past week.

Jammu and 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.

Since they were partitioned in 1947, the two countries have fought three wars -- in 1948, 1965 and 1971 -- two of them over Kashmir.

Also, in Siachen glacier in northern Kashmir, Indian and Pakistani troops have fought intermittently since 1984. A cease-fire came into effect in 2003.

Some Kashmiri groups in Jammu and Kashmir have been fighting against Indian rule for independence, or for unification with neighboring Pakistan.

According to several human rights organizations, thousands of people have reportedly been killed in the conflict in the region since 1989.