Three Indian soldiers killed in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Three soldiers and four rebels were killed in a gunbattle in Indian-administered Kashmir Tuesday after an army patrol came under fire in the north of the territory, officials said.

"Three soldiers were killed during a gunfight with rebels that broke out at Hajin in Bandipora district," army spokesman Rajesh Kalia told AFP, adding that five other soldiers were injured.

A police official said a civilian also sustained injuries in the cross-firing which erupted after the government forces cordoned off an area following a tip-off.

"A search party was suddenly fired upon by the rebels as it zeroed in on a residential area," a police superintendent told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to talk to the press.

He added that nine soldiers were injured in the initial attack and were immediately shifted to army hospital.

"Three among them later succumbed to their injuries," he added.

Violence in Indian Occupied Kashmir peaked last year after Burhan Wani was shot dead by Indian security forces in July.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th, 2017.