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Two Indian soldiers, two militants killed in Kashmir gun battle

An Indian policeman prepares to fire a pellet gun towards Kashmiri protestors during clashes in Srinagar on July 29, 2016. ©AFP

Two Indian soldiers and two suspected pro-independence militants have been killed in a gun battle in Indian-administered Kashmir near the territory’s disputed border with Pakistan.

Indian Army Colonel N. N. Joshi said Saturday that the clashes occurred overnight in Naugam sector, nearly 120 kilometers northwest of the main city of Srinagar, after Indian troops intercepted the militants attempting to infiltrate into the territory from Pakistan.

One Indian soldier was also injured in the incident, according to the official.

The development came as over 50 people have been killed and thousands injured in weeks of unrest in Indian-administered Kashmir, triggered by the death on July 8 of popular pro-independence commander Burhan Wani during a gun battle with Indian forces.

Moreover, about 100 protesters and police were wounded in clashes Friday as authorities sought to block a protest rally called by the groups opposed to Indian rule, authorities said.

A curfew continued to be in force across large parts of the territory for the 22nd consecutive day Saturday.

Schools and businesses remained shut and internet services suspended, although mobile networks have been partially restored.

Kashmir has been at the heart of a bitter territorial dispute since India and Pakistan became independent in 1947.

New Delhi and Islamabad both claim the region in full, but rule parts of it. The two countries have fought two wars over the disputed territory.

The last bout of serious violence in the scenic valley was in the summer of 2010, when more than 100 people died in anti-India protests.


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