2 militants killed in gunfight on Kashmir LoC

Two militants were killed and an Indian army soldier was wounded Saturday in a gunfight on the de facto border between India and Pakistan in disputed Kashmir. The clash broke out in Poonch district close to the line-of- control (LoC), about 185 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. "Today our alert troops gunned down two militants trying to infiltrate into our territory in Poonch sector," Lt Col Manish Mehta, Indian army spokesman said. "In the exchange of heavy fire a trooper was also wounded but he was immediately removed to military hospital for treatment." The LoC is a de facto border dividing Kashmir into Indian and Pakistani controlled parts. Kashmir is claimed by both countries in full. Since their independence from British, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir. Indian defense officials said militants were trying to intrude upon to engage Indian troops in the ongoing guerrilla war in Indian-controlled Kashmir. A separatist movement challenging New Delhi's rule has plagued Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. New Delhi accuses Islamabad of providing arms and training to Kashmiri militants. However, Islamabad denies the charges saying it only provides moral and political support to Kashmiris.