 Twelve Islamic militants, four Indian troops and a civilian have been killed in an upsurge of violence in Indian-held Kashmir just ahead of a visit to Pakistan by moderate separatists, officials said on Tuesday.
| That sort of thing is usually the clue of impending violence, isn't it? |
The toll was the highest in months in the disputed region. Indian soldiers killed five militants in a clash in the border district of Poonch, a defence spokesman said. A soldier also died in the clash, he said. Three more militants and two soldiers died in another clash in Nildoora village, police said. Hardline militant group Al Mansurain said in a statement the three slain militants belonged to the group.
| I believe al-Mansurain is Lashkar e-Taiba with a false nose and moustache... |
It said five troops died in the clash but police said the figure was two. In separate clashes late on Monday, four militants died in northern Baramulla and Kupwara districts, police said. A soldier was killed in the fighting and two houses were damaged, a police spokesman said. Police said suspected militants shot dead a Muslim in the southern Rajouri district late on Monday. |