Indian army kills 1 militant in Indian-controlled Kashmir

A militant of Hizb-ul-Mujahidin (HM) outfit was killed in a gunfight with Indian army troops in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said Wednesday. The gunfight broke out late Tuesday evening at village Beighpora of Awantipora town, about 35 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. "During cordon and search operation at village Beighpora, a militant fired upon search party of Indian army and police last night. In return fire the militant was killed and his body was found lying in the field during the night," said a senior police official posted at Awantipora. "The slain militant was identified as Waseem Ahmad Dar, a local cadre of HM militant outfit." Police has also claimed recovery of an assault rifle and some ammunition near the militant's body and other militants accompanying him managed to escape after unsuccessfully targeting the police and army contingent. The HM outfit is indigenous militant group fighting against Indian rule in region. Media reports said hundreds of people including women Wednesday thronged the slain militant's native village and attended his funeral prayers. The people shouted pro-independence and anti- India slogans. Last year 73 suspected militants were killed in the restive region. A guerrilla war has started between militants and Indian troops stationed in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. The gunfights between the two sides take place intermittently across the region. On Tuesday a junior police officer was killed and three policemen wounded in a similar gunfight at Chankhan locality of volatile Sopore town, about 52 km northwest of Srinagar. The year of 2013 saw a 38-percent increase in violence compared to 2012. The violence claimed 204 lives in restive Indian- controlled Kashmir. Of the 204 killed, 48 were civilians, 73 suspected militants, one unidentified and 82 Indian soldiers.