NAN-F-24
Killing
Srinagar (Kashmir), Sept. 20, 2016 (dpa/NAN) No fewer than 10 presumed militants were killed by Indian forces along the frontiers of disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, further boosting the body count in the troubled region.
The incident came two days after a rebel attack killed 18 soldiers. Both attacks came near the border town of Uri.
Tuesday’s incident occurred shortly after Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire across the Line of Control.
The line of control is the military frontier that divides the disputed Kashmir region into two parts, one administered by India and the other by Pakistan.
Indian officials said that their military posts came under heavy fire from Pakistani forces, who they alleged, violated a 2003 ceasefire, forcing their troops to retaliate.
A group of up to 15 rebels were involved in the “infiltration attempt” at Uri. Ten were dead after a gun battle that was ongoing, a local police officer said on condition of anonymity.
India often accuses Pakistani forces of firing at Indian posts to give cover to militants attempting to sneak into Indian Territory.
On Sunday, four militants attacked the Indian army’s base in Uri, killing 18 soldiers before they were shot dead.
The border trouble came as Delhi and Islamabad are locked in a war of words following the attack, which India blamed on Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad group.
Pakistan has denied the allegations as India claimed to have evidence to support its claims.
The Indian army said it had recovered weapons and food with Pakistani markings during search operations following the attack.
India has long blamed Islamabad for backing militant groups based on its territory for cross-border attacks and fomenting the unrest in Kashmir. Pakistan denies the allegations.
The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought at least two wars over Kashmir since their independence from Britain in 1947.
Sunday’s attack was among the worst attacks on the Indian army in the insurgency-hit region in several years. (dpa/NAN)
IAA/OPI
(Edited by Isaac Aregbesola and Olisa Ifeajika)