2 village defense guards, 2 militants killed in India-controlled Kashmir

NEW DELHI, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) — Gunmen believed to be militants killed two members of the Village Defense Guards (VDGs) in restive India-controlled Kashmir, while two militants were killed in a separate gunfight with government forces in the region, police said Friday.
According to police officials, the two VDGs were abducted on Thursday and killed in Chatroo area of Kishtwar district, about 203 km southeast of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
VDGs is a civilian militia raised to counter militancy in the region’s Jammu province. The guards armed with sophisticated weaponry are said to assist government forces in their anti-militancy operations.
Meanwhile, two militants were killed Friday in a fresh gunfight with government forces in Sagipora area of Sopore town, about 45 km northwest of Srinagar. ■