Current:Home > reviewsJohnathan Walker:4 Indian soldiers killed in fighting with rebels in disputed Kashmir -FundTrack
Johnathan Walker:4 Indian soldiers killed in fighting with rebels in disputed Kashmir
Rekubit View
Date:2025-04-11 09:50:21
SRINAGAR,Johnathan Walker India (AP) — Four Indian soldiers were killed in a gunbattle with rebels fighting against New Delhi’s rule in disputed Kashmir, officials said Thursday.
The fighting started Wednesday, days after Indian troops started searching for militants in dense forests based on information that at least two rebels were hiding there, a military official said, speaking on condition of anonymity in keeping with official policy.
Intermittent firing at regular intervals continued for all of Wednesday, the official said. Troops continued their search Thursday in the mountainous and forested area of southern Rajouri district near the highly militarized Line of Control that divides the Himalayan region between India and Pakistan.
Two officers were among the four killed. An officer and two of the soldiers were from a special forces unit, the military official said.
The army wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that rebels were also injured in the gunbattle and were surrounded by Indian troops. It did not specify how many militants were in the battle.
There was no independent confirmation of the gunbattle.
Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety.
Militants in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhi’s rule since 1989. Most Muslim Kashmiris support the rebel goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.
New Delhi insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Most Kashmiris consider it a legitimate freedom struggle.
Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict.
But since 2019, anger has intensified in Kashmir after New Delhi ended the region’s semi-autonomy and drastically curbed dissent, civil liberties and media freedoms while intensifying counterinsurgency operations.
Last week, government forces killed seven militants in two separate counterinsurgency operations. Also, Wednesday’s fighting came two months after major gunbattle in nearby Anantnag killed three Indian soldiers, including a commanding officer and his deputy, and a police officer. Two militants were killed in the weeklong operation.
veryGood! (431)
Related
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Rookies Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese have WNBA's top two selling jerseys amid record sales
- Phoenix man sentenced to life in prison without parole after killing his parents and younger brother
- Shipwreck hunters find schooner 131 years after it sank in Lake Michigan with captain's faithful dog
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- The Daily Money: What is $1,000 a month worth?
- Pennsylvania State Police corporal shot, wounded while serving warrant
- 2nd suspect arrested in triple homicide case at a Phoenix-area apartment, police say
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- William & Mary expands new climate-focused major, deepens coastal research with $100 million gift
Ranking
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- Where to watch women's Olympic basketball? Broadcast, streaming schedule for Paris Games
- 2024 Olympics: See Céline Dion Arrive in Paris Ahead of Her Opening Ceremony Performance
- Trump rally gunman looked online for information about Kennedy assassination, FBI director says
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- Hiker falls to death during storm on Yosemite’s iconic Half Dome
- Get 60% Off Tarte Deals, $20 Old Navy Jeans, $39 Blendjet Portable Blenders & Today's Best Sales
- Surprise Yellowstone geyser eruption highlights little known hazard at popular park
Recommendation
Intellectuals vs. The Internet
Kehlani announces Crash concert tour: How to get tickets
Lowe's 'releasing the kraken' with Halloween 2024 'Haunted Harbor' collection
With ‘flat’ wedding rates, Vegas officials and chapels want more couples to say ‘I do’
DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
FBI searches home of former aide to New York Gov Kathy Hochul
Terminal at New York’s JFK Airport briefly evacuated because of escalator fire
Boston Red Sox sign manager Alex Cora to three-year extension