'7 rebels, 1 soldier killed in clashes with militants in Indian Kashmir'

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Seven suspected Islamic militants and one Indian soldier died in gunbattles in India's portion of Kashmir this week, an army spokesman said Wednesday. The rebels have engaged in sporadic fighting with soldiers in India's Jammu-Kashmir state since Monday, said Col. Uma Maheshwari, a spokesman for the Indian army. Maheshwari said the guerrillas apparently infiltrated Indian territory from across the de facto border with Pakistan and that the army was searching for other infiltrators. A rebel and an army officer were killed in fighting Monday, and six rebels were shot dead Tuesday, he said. The fighting took place in Tangdar region, roughly 130 kilometers north of Srinagar, the state capital, Maheshwari said.