Two Indian soldiers among four killed in IHK

SRINAGAR: Two soldiers and two suspected rebels were killed overnight in a gunbattle in Indian-held Kashmir near the disputed territory’s de facto border with Pakistan, the Indian army said Saturday.

Colonel NN Joshi said the firefight occurred in Naugam sector, some 120 kilometres northwest of Srinagar, after soldiers intercepted militants attempting to infiltrate the territory from Pakistan.

"Two terrorists were killed and two soldiers attained martyrdom. One soldier was injured," Joshi told AFP.

More than 50 people have been killed and thousands injured in weeks of unrest in Indian-held Kashmir, sparked by the death on July 8 of popular rebel commander Burhan Wani in a firefight with government forces.

Nearly 100 protesters and police were injured in clashes Friday as authorities sought to block a rally called by separatist groups opposed to Indian rule, officials 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.