5 troopers killed and two suspected freedom fighters have been martyred in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) throughout a firefight within the disputed Himalayan territory, a military officer mentioned Thursday.
An “intense firefight” broke out Wednesday after troops pursued fighters into the dense forests of Kalakote in southern IIOJK, the military’s 16 Corps mentioned in a social media publish.
The preventing killed 5 troopers, together with two elite commandos, and left one other soldier wounded, a military officer advised AFP, talking on situation of anonymity as a result of the army operation was ongoing.
The military didn’t give particulars of what number of suspected freedom fighters have been concerned.
Freedom fighter teams have waged an insurgency in IOJK since 1989, demanding independence or a merger with Pakistan. The battle has left tens of hundreds of civilians, troopers and fighters lifeless.
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India blames Pakistan for backing the fighters, a cost Islamabad denies, saying it solely helps a Kashmiri battle for the suitable to self-determination.
One of many two slain fighters was recognized as a “extremely ranked” separatist chief, the military officer mentioned, claiming that the fighter was a Pakistani nationwide who had been lively within the space for the previous yr.
Final week, Indian troopers martyred eight freedom fighters within the Kashmir valley, the epicentre of insurgency.
IIOJK has simmered in anger since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s authorities annulled its restricted constitutional autonomy in 2019 and imposed direct rule.
Indian authorities say at the very least 118 individuals have been killed within the battle this yr, together with 11 civilians, 27 safety forces and 80 suspected freedom fighters.