Muslim militants shot dead

Indian troops shot and killed five Muslim militants in Indian-held Kashmir today in the bloodiest clash since peace talks between the government and Kashmiri separatists last week.

“We have reports that five terrorists are dead,” said Ranveer Singh, spokesman for the military in Srinagar.

Acting on a tip-off, the army raided the militants’ hideout in Kupwara, 75 miles north of Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu-Kashmir state. The area is close to the Line of Control, which divides the region between India and Pakistan.

The army cordoned off the area and was searching the surrounding forests. No other details were immediately available.

Islamic militants based in Pakistan have continued fighting Indian forces although the two governments have observed a cease-fire between their troops since November 26, and have agreed to resume talks next month to settle their differences over Kashmir.