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SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Three militants belonging to Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant outfit were killed Thursday in a fierce gunfight with troops in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.

The gunfight between militants and government forces broke out Wednesday night at village Kakapora in Pulwama district, about 25 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Three militants were killed in gunfight in Kakapora early today," Indian army spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia told Xinhua. "Three weapons have been recovered from the spot."

An army officer was wounded fighting the militants. Reports said he was immediately taken to hospital, where his condition was stated to be stable.

According to a police official posted in Pulwama, the village was cordoned off Wednesday night on specific intelligence inputs about presence of militants.

While the area was being cordoned, villagers hit the roads and tried to clash with government forces to help militants escape but they were chased out due to tear smoke shelling, police said.

"The gunfight in the village triggered during night after contingents of army and police zeroed on the suspected house," the official said. "The standoff ended early today morning."

The slain militants were identified as local cadres of LeT.

According to locals, the house from where militants were firing on police and army positions was fully damaged due to heavy shelling.

Meanwhile, hundreds of villagers have gathered at Kakapora to mourn the killing of militants and participate in their funeral prayers. Authorities have imposed restrictions at sensitive places in the district.

A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in the region since 1989. Gunfights often take place between the two sides.

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.