Police officer, militant killed in Kashmir shoot-out

NEW DELHI, Nov 17 (KUNA) -- Indian police said that one police officer and a militant were killed in a shooting attack in Zakura area of Srinagar district in northern state of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.
A security post on Srinagar-Ganderbal road came under heavy gunfire from three militants in a car, killing sub-inspector Imran Tak and injuring another police officer, the Press Trust of India said.
The police said that they were able to intercept the car, and shoot and capture one of the militants while the two others managed to flee.
The wounded militant, named Mugees Ahmad Mir, succumbed later to his injury; he is said to be an associate of Zakir Musa who floated a new offshoot of the so-called Islamic State in Kashmir after deserting Hizbul Mujahideen.
The authorities have imposed curfew in the locality and adjacent areas and asked the schools and colleges to remain shut as the search operations are intensified.
New Delhi accuses Islamabad of supporting and funding the armed groups in Kashmir, claims which Islamabad denies and insists Kashmir people are defending their freedom. (end) atk.gb