Militant killed in Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, March 7 (Xinhua) -- A militant was killed Thursday in a fierce gunfight with government forces in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.

The gunfight erupted Wednesday night at Kralgund- Handwara of frontier Kupwara district, about 73 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Based on a credible information about the presence of militants in Badrah Payen area of Kralgund in Handwara, a cordon and search operation was jointly launched by police and army last night," a police official said.

"While the searches were underway, the militants lobbed grenades and fired indiscriminately, thereby triggering a gunfight, which continued today and ultimately led to killing of a militant."

Police said the slain militant was identified as a foreign national affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit. Authorities have suspended mobile internet service in the district.

Earlier during the day a grenade blast inside a bus station in region's Jammu city killed a civilian and wounded 33 others.

Police claimed a teenager who carried out the blast was arrested during checking in the outskirts of the city. According to police, he was tasked to carry out the blast by a Hizbul Mujahideen commander.

A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in the region since 1989. Enditem