NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Five Militants, Soldier Killed in Gunfight on Kashmir Frontier

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, July 4: Five Indian army soldiers including two officers and a militant were killed in an ongoing gunfight near Kashmir frontier. The death toll in the gunfight that has been going on since June 29, has risen to 18.

A top police officer of North Kashmir told NewsBlaze that five Indian army personnel and a militant were killed in the gunfight near the frontiers with Pakistan at Bari Behak, Sadhna Pass in North Kashmir.

He said that among the killed soldiers are two officers.

"The gunfight is going on", he said, adding, "Additional forces have been rushed to the spot to prevent the militants from escaping from the area".

The police officer said that the gunfight in the area has been going on since June 29 when Indian army personnel intercepted a group of militants, who had infiltrated into Kashmir from Pakistani territory.

"The group comprised 20-22 militants and so far 12 of them have been killed," said the police officer, adding, "Six soldiers have lost the lives so far".

This is the major infiltration attempt by militants this year.

The army officials had warned that the infiltration attempts of militants may witness an increase this year and accordingly had placed its soldiers on high alert along the frontiers with Pakistan.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.