Gunfight erupts in south Kashmir village

Srinagar, March 20: A gunfight has erupted in a village in south Kashmir's Pulwama district where security forces laid a cordon following information about the presence of separatist guerrillas.

"Firing is continuing in Batapora village of Pulwama district where security forces have engaged holed-up militants in a sustained gunfight. Troops of the Rashtriya Rifles, paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the local police are on the job," a senior police officer said here.

"Two militants of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit are believed to be inside a house that has been surrounded by the security forces," the officer added.

Earlier, the security forces had surrounded the village in the district, 35 km from here, following specific information about the presence of a group of guerrillas inside.