Indian soldiers kill eight suspected guerrillas

Indian troops killed eight suspected Islamic militants in an overnight gun battle after they infiltrated into Indian-controlled Kashmir from Pakistani territory, an army spokesman said today.

Soldiers intercepted the insurgents in a forest near the disputed border and opened fire, Lieutenant Colonel Mukhtiar Singh, an army spokesman, said.

“The ensuing gun battle lasted seven hours,” Lt Col Singh said.

The encounter took place in the Keran sector, 115 miles north of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-held Kashmir.

According to the army, it was the second attempt in the past two days by Pakistan-based insurgents to enter Indian Kashmir.

On Sunday, the army killed seven suspected guerrillas after they had crossed over from Pakistan-held territory in the same area, Lt Col Singh said.

There was no independent confirmation of the army’s claims.

India accuses Pakistan of training, arming and sending militants into Indian-controlled territory to attack government soldiers and targets. Pakistan says it only provides moral and diplomatic support to rebels.

More than a dozen rebel groups have been fighting for Kashmir’s independence from India or its merger with Pakistan since 1989. Both India and Pakistan claim the region in its entirety.

India says infiltrations by insurgents is continuing despite Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf’s claim that he had done whatever was needed to stop cross-border movement.

New Delhi says it will hold dialogue with Pakistan on the Kashmir dispute only after Islamabad stops supporting cross-border terrorism.