SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Two militants were killed Saturday in a fierce gunfight with government forces in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The gunfight broke out at Wanpora village of Kulgam district, about 59 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"In a fierce gunfight with joint contingents of police and army here today, two militants were killed," a senior police official in Kulgam said. "The gunfight started early today and went on for several hours."

According to the police, the gunfight broke out after government forces cordoned off the area on specific intelligence information suggesting the presence of militants.

"No sooner the joint contingents of army and police reached near the suspected area, the militants present there fired upon them, thereby triggering a gunfight," the police official said.

As the gunfight started, authorities fearing street protests snapped mobile internet service in the district.

The government forces, according to the police, have not suffered any damage in the standoff.

Meanwhile, the identity of slain militants was not immediately known. According to police officials, they were trying to ascertain the identity and group affiliation of the militants.

Earlier this month, a top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit Riyaz Naikoo along with his accomplice were killed in a gunfight in region's Pulwama district. A civilian was also killed and several others injured following the clashes during the gunfight.

Militant groups opposing New Delhi's rule are engaged in a guerilla war with Indian troops in the region since 1989. Gunfights between the two sides take place intermittently.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir. Enditem

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