Seven guerrillas, soldier killed in Kashmir gunfight

Srinagar, Sep 27: Seven guerrillas and a soldier were killed in a prolonged gunfight in the Kashmir Valley, the police said Saturday.

The gunfight erupted Friday afternoon in Sriwas mountain area bordering north Kashmir districts of Bandipore and Ganderbal after troopers of 3 Para Regiment of the Indian Army challenged a group of heavily armed militants moving in the higher mountain reaches of the area, the police said.

“Seven bodies of the militants have been spotted by the troops. There are reportedly three more militants still hiding in the area although the exchange of gunfire has stopped there," a police officer told IANS here.

One soldier of the army was killed in the gunfight Friday in Sriwas mountain area, 80 km from here.

According to the police, the operation was on till late Saturday evening.