NEW DELHI, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Two militants were killed Wednesday in a fierce gunfight with government forces in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.
The gunfight between militants and government forces broke out at village Gopalpora of Kulgam district, about 70 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"A gunfight broke out here today in early morning between militants and joint contingents of army and police. The militants present in the area fired upon the search party, which was retaliated," a senior police official posted in Kulgam told Xinhua. "The exchange of fire between the two sides lasted for several hours and in the stand-off, two militants were killed," the police said.
According to officials, the Indian army or police have not suffered any casualties in the gunfight.
Police said the identities of slain militants were being ascertained.
"The bodies of slain militants have been retrieved and we are ascertaining their names and group affiliation," the police official said.
However, reports said the slain militants were local cadres of the region's indigenous militant outfit -- Hizbul Mujahideen.
The police operation in the area was launched on Tuesday night on specific intelligence information suggesting presence of militants.
Authorities have suspended mobile internet service in the district and adjoining area in wake of the gunfight.
