DARJEELING, India, Feb. 25, Reuter: Security forces shot dead six Gurkha separatists during a six hour gun battle in northeastern India’s Darjeeling tea growing region on Thursday, police sources said.

The two side exchanged over 200 rounds of automatic weapons fire on the streets of Rousebazar village before the Gurkhas fled, the sources said.

In the same area on Wednesday, a paramilitary police patrol was ambushed and two constables were killed by extremists belonging to the Gurkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), which is fighting for autonomy.

At least 145 people have been killed in 22 months of GNLF violence.

Article extracted from this publication >> March 4, 1988