Kashmir rebels storm India army camp; 3 soldiers, 2 attackers die

At least two suspected rebels armed with guns and grenades attack the camp in remote Darhal area of southern Rajouri district.

Suspected rebels have attacked an Indian army post in Indian-administered Kashmir, killing three soldiers, while two attackers died in the shoot-out that came amid heightened security in the run-up to India’s Independence Day celebrations.

The attack in the remote Darhal area of southern Rajouri district of India’s only Muslim majority region took place in the early hours on Thursday.

At least two assailants armed with guns and grenades attacked the camp, said Mukesh Singh, a senior police officer, adding that the soldiers responded to the attack, triggering a gun battle that lasted for at least three hours.

In addition to the five deaths, two soldiers were injured in the fighting, Singh said.

The area around the post was cordoned off afterwards as security forces conducted searches, an army official said.

“Three soldiers were killed and two were injured in the attack. However, troops fired back and killed two militants,” the official said, asking not to be named as he was not authorised to speak with the media.

There was no independent confirmation of the incident.

On Wednesday, police said government forces killed three rebels in Budgam district during a counterinsurgency operation.

Agencies