Gunfight breaks out in north Kashmir

SRINAGAR - A gunfight between security forces and holed-up separatist guerrillas broke out in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district late Thursday evening.

“Following specific information about the presence of militants in Poshnag (Kreeri) village in Baramulla district, the special operations group of the police and troops of counter-insurgency Rashtriya Rifles surrounded a house in the village this evening,” a senior police officer told IANS here.

“The holed up militants were challenged to surrender, but they resorted to automatic gunfire at the surrounding troops, triggering a gunfight which is still on.”

The officer said two separatist guerrillas, including a Pakistan national named Sajjad, were believed to be holed up inside the house which has been cordoned off by the security forces.