'JeM fighter killed in held Kashmir'

SRINAGAR, INDIA: Indian forces said they shot dead a separatist leader of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in a clash in held Kashmir on Monday.

The 'militant' was trapped in a house after throwing a grenade at a police checkpoint in the northern village of Ladoora.

"He was one of the most wanted separatist and the chief operational commander of JeM," Kashmir inspector-general of police, Muneer Ahmed Khan said.



"He threw a grenade at the checkpoint which failed to explode. He then fired a pistol and took refuge in a nearby house where he was killed."

Freedom fighters have for decades fought Indian troops in the restive territory, demanding independence or a merger of the former Himalayan kingdom with Pakistan. The fighting has left tens of thousands dead, mostly civilians.