Indian Army Under Attack in Kashmir

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, July 20: For the second day in succession, Indian army personnel deployed in the violence hit-Kashmir have come under the direct attack of militants. At least 12 Indian soldiers including an officer have been killed in two days during the militant attacks in Kashmir.

Police sources said that a heavily armed group of militants fired from automatic weapons towards a search party of Indian army and police in the forest area of Bangail, Thanamandi, Rajouri, some 205 kms from the summer capital Srinagar on Sunday morning. The fire was returned by the troopers, triggering an encounter.

The exchange of fire between the two sides lasted for more than two hours during which an Indian army officer identified as Major Banu Pratap and a policeman Sanjeev Kumar were killed. Seven soldiers were also injured in the gunfight and were hospitalised.

Police sources said that militants managed to escape from the area during the course of gunfight.

This is the second deadly attack on Indian army personnel in Kashmir in as many days.

On Saturday, militants blew up an Indian army vehicle at Magam, Baramulla, killing at least 10 soldiers and injuring 15 others. The condition of some of the injured soldiers is said to be "life threatening".

The attacks have come after the militant groups like Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba suffered heavy reversals in Kashmir. Most of the top commanders of the two groups were either killed or arrested by the soldiers.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.