India: Three Kashmiri insurgents slain

SRINAGAR, India — Government forces killed three rebels in a gunbattle in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir while 35 civilians were injured in anti-India protests and clashes in solidarity with militants, police and witnesses said Tuesday.

The 24-hourlong fighting broke out Monday after soldiers and counterinsurgency police raided southern Bahmnoo village on a tip that rebels were hiding there, police Inspector-General Muneer Ahmed Khan said.

Witnesses said the fighting ended Tuesday morning after troops blasted and destroyed four homes during the fighting.

Khan said soldiers were searching for the body of a fourth militant.

At least six police and soldiers were injured in the fighting.

The gunfight triggered intense clashes after hundreds of civilians marched near the site to help the trapped militants escape.