Kashmir gun battles leave three youth, Indian commander dead

Three young men were martyred in Handwara district while an Indian special forces commander was killed in Kupwara

At least three young men were martyred and an Indian army commando killed on Tuesday in two separate clashes in the occupied Kashmir.

Indian troops launched an operation in the Himalayan valley’s northwestern area of Handwara, martyring three Kashmiris in an exchange of fire, Associated Press reported.

In a separate incident in the neighbouring Kupwara district, an Indian special forces' commander was killed as the occupied forces were battling a few rebels trapped in the area.

With the fresh killing, the death toll of separatists has risen to eight in the last two days, according to an AP tally. An Indian air force commando and a policeman have also been killed in the fresh clashes.

Indian troops martyr two Kashmiris in Baramulla district

Moreover, at least 190 rebels and 70 Indian soldiers have been killed in fighting this year.

Rebel groups have for decades fought the roughly 500,000 Indian troops deployed in the occupied territory, demanding independence or a merger with Pakistan.

Indian officials say dozens of young people have joined the rebels since last July, when the killing of a popular rebel commander by security forces sparked months of deadly anti-India protests.