3 Indian soldiers killed, 3 injured in Kashmir gunfight

By Nusrat Sidiq

SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir (AA) - Three Indian soldiers were killed and three others injured during a counter-militancy operation in Indian-administered Kashmir on Thursday, army officials said.

The gunfight ensued after militants ambushed two army vehicles passing through Dera Ki Gali in Rajouri's Poonch region, which is nearly at a distance of 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of Srinagar, at 3.45 pm Indian time Thursday.

According to officials, the Indian army had been conducting an operation in and around the area since Wednesday night.

"Based on hard intelligence, a joint operation was launched in the general area last night. Contact has been established this evening, and an encounter is in progress," a defense spokesperson of the army said.

Last month, five soldiers, including two army captains, were killed in action after the army and its special forces launched a counter-militancy operation in Rajouri's Kalakote.

Rajouri and the neighboring district of Poonch, which are close to the de-facto border with Pakistan-administered Kashmir, have witnessed major encounters this year. However, the regional police have maintained that the militancy is in its death throes.

Between April 20 and May 5, a total of 10 Indian military personnel were killed in Rajouri and Poonch. Over 35 Indian soldiers have been killed in the same area over the past two years.