Indian soldiers kill Kashmir militants

The Indian army killed eight suspected Islamic militants today after they crossed into Indian-controlled Kashmir from Pakistan.

The clash took place along the Line of Control in Nanjot sector, a military official said.

Elsewhere in troubled Kashmir, at least two suspected Islamic rebels and a police officer were killed when a jail was attacked overnight.

Exchanges of fire continued today around the prison in Hiranagar, 45 miles south of Jammu, the winter capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

It was not immediately clear how many gunmen were involved in the attack, but officials said no prisoners had escaped.

The attack came two days after suspected guerrillas targeted a bus in the town and killed at least four people during voting for the third phase in state elections.

Eleven people were killed yesterday when suspected Islamic militants attacked paramilitary forces and activists of the pro-India governing party and a bomb exploded on a bus filled with Hindu pilgrims.

Separatist militants vowed to disrupt the state legislature elections, which they say are rigged in favour of the governing, pro-Indian National Conference party. The last round of voting is next Tuesday. Final results were expected by October 12.