8 killed in Handwara gunfight

Two militants, five security personnel and a civilian were killed in a 48-hour-long gunfight in Jammu and Kashmir's Handwara area, a defence official said on Sunday.

"Two terrorists were killed. The gunfight has now stopped but search operations are ongoing," Defence Ministry spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said.

The identities of the slain terrorists were yet to be ascertained.

The gunfight started on Friday in Babagund village of Handwara in Kupwara district after security forces cordoned the area following information of the presence of militants.

Two CRPF troopers and two policemen were killed on Friday when a militant who was presumed to be dead suddenly rose from the debris of a house and fired indiscriminately at the security forces.

An injured trooper succumbed to injuries on Sunday in a hospital, the police said.

Seven other security personnel were also injured in the gunfight.

The civilian was killed when protesters clashed with the security forces to disrupt the operation.

According to some reports, two houses and two cowsheds were destroyed by the security forces as the hiding militants kept on changing positions at the site of the gunfight.

--IANS

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