Indian army kills militant in Indian-controlled Kashmir

controlled Kashmir (Xinhua) -- A militant was killed by Indian army troopers in Indian -controlled Kashmir, police said Tuesday. The militant was killed Monday night in a brief exchange of fire at village Dadsara of Tral town, around 36 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. "Last night Indian army troopers were fired upon during a routine patrol at village Dadsara. The troopers returned the fire during which a militant was killed," said a police officer in Awantipora. "We have recovered body of militant from the spot." Police sources said other militants managed to escape from the spot during darkness. The army has not suffered any damage in the exchange of fire. Police have also claimed recovery of an assault rifle and some ammunition near the body of the slain militant. The identity of the slain militant and his group was being ascertained. Police officials suspect the slain militant is a foreigner. On Monday a militant of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) outfit Javed Salfi was killed in a three-hour-long gunfight at Sempora of Qazigund town, about 72 km south of Srinagar city. Salfi's body was retrieved from the debris of a house Monday night. Hundreds of villagers Tuesday participated in a funeral procession for Salfi, with the mourners shouting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans. Anti-India sentiment runs deep in the heart of the majority of Kashmiris. A separatist movement challenging New Delhi's rule has been going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. Last year, 73 suspected militants were killed in the restive region. A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in the restive region, with gunfight between the two sides taking place intermittently across the region. The year 2013 saw a 38 percent increase in violence compared to 2012. The violence claimed 204 lives in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Of the dead, 48 were civilians, 73 suspected militants, one unidentified and 82 Indian troopers.