Six killed in ongoing Kashmir border disagreement

SRINAGAR, India: A group of militants sneaked into the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir from the Pakistani side of the disputed territory yesterday, sparking a gunbattle that left at least six suspected rebels dead in the remote Keran area, the Indian military said.

The fighting began when soldiers intercepted a group of insurgents along the de facto border that divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan, said Colonel Rajesh Kalia.

There was no independent confirmation.

Last week one soldier was killed and another wounded after suspected militants attacked an Indian patrol in the same area, the army said.

Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim it in its entirety. Rebel groups have been fighting since 1989 and demand that Kashmir be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.

Nearly 70 000 people have been killed in the uprising and the ensuing Indian military crackdown since 1989.

India accuses Pakistan of arming and training anti-India rebels and also helping them by providing gunfire as cover for incursions into the Indian side.

Pakistan denies this, saying it offers only moral and diplomatic support to the militants and to Kashmiris who oppose Indian rule.

Most Kashmiris support the rebel cause, often protesting publicly against Indian control.