Fighting in disputed Kashmir kills 5 Indian soldiers and 2 suspected militants
Nov 23, 2023
Indian military officials say five soldiers and two suspected rebels were killed in gunbattles in disputed Kashmir
SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Five Indian soldiers were killed in gunbattles with rebels fighting against New Delhi’s rule in disputed
Kashmir
, officials said Thursday. The Indian army said two suspected militants were also killed.The fighting started Wednesday, days after Indian troops started searching for militants in dense forests based on information that at least two rebels were hiding there, a military official said, speaking on condition of anonymity in keeping with official policy.
Intermittent firing continued at regular intervals all day Wednesday, the official said, killing four soldiers and injured at least two other soldiers.
The army wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that rebels were also injured in the gunbattle and were surrounded by Indian troops. It did not specify how many militants were in the battle.
Troops continued their search, resulting in a fresh exchange of gunfire Thursday in the mountainous and forested area of the southern Rajouri district, near the highly militarized line Line of Control that divides the Himalayan region between India and Pakistan.
Two suspected militants and a soldier were killed in the fighting, according to another Indian army officer, who also spoke on condition of anonymity. The officer said one of the militants was a Pakistani national, a trained sniper and an expert in handling explosives, and had been operating in the area for the past year.
Two officers were among the five Indian soldiers killed. An officer and two of the soldiers were from a special forces unit, the military official said.
There was no independent confirmation of the gunbattle.
Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety.
Militants in the Indian-controlled portion have been fighting New Delhi’s rule since 1989. Most Muslim Kashmiris support the rebel goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.
New Delhi insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Most Kashmiris consider it a legitimate freedom struggle.
Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and government forces have been killed in the conflict.
But since 2019, anger has intensified in Kashmir after
New Delhi ended the region’s semi-autonomy
and drasticallycurbed dissent, civil liberties and media freedoms
amid intensifying counterinsurgency operations.A militant group, the People’s Anti-Fascist Front, or PAFF, claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s operation in a statement on social media.
The group emerged after 2019 and has remained active mainly in the high mountainous forests of the Rajouri and Poonch areas, where its militants have carried out some of the deadly attacks against Indian troops.
Last week, government forces killed seven militants in two separate counterinsurgency operations. Wednesday's fighting came two months after a
major gunbattle in nearby Anantnag
killed three Indian soldiers, including a commanding officer, his deputy, and a police officer.MORE NEWS
Why Is Real Madrid Appologising To China? The Multi-Million Dollar Answer
Real Madrid apologised to China after Kylian Mbappe’s Mao comments sparked backlash, sponsor exits and a La Liga broadcast suspension. But what is at stake?
Out on parole, Asaram fails to return to Jodhpur jail on time; action initiated
The Ratanada police registered a case against the convicted godman under the Prisons Act on Tuesday night for failing to surrender within the stipulated time, even as the jail authorities refused to admit him due to the late hour.
Haryana ERC puts Eleven Power’s parallel power distribution licence on hold
The commission’s decision follows a state government directive issued under the Electricity Act, 2003, raising concerns over financial and consumer implications
Adani said to weigh deal for €3 billion energy storage firm VTTI
Billionaire Gautam Adani is reportedly exploring a potential acquisition of Dutch energy storage group VTTI. Supply disruptions have made VTTI's facilities increasingly valuable for energy trading, attracting multiple suitors. A deal could value VTTI at around €3 billion, with IFM Investors and Vitol owning significant stakes. Adani Group has been evaluating international acquisitions to accelerate its growth in various sectors.
School Holiday October 29: Which states have announced closures due to Cyclone Arnab? Will schools in Delhi, Punjab and other North Indian states remain closed for Karwa Chauth? Check state-wise updates
School Holiday October 29 news: Schools in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Jharkhand will close on October 29 due to Cyclone Arnab. Karwa Chauth is also observed on this day, affecting school holidays. While Delhi government schools declared a holiday, private schools may vary in their schedules. Parents are advised to check with individual schools for updated holiday information. District administrations will provide details regarding school closures based on local weather conditions.
Real Madrid issues apology to China over Mbappe’s Mao remarks
Real Madrid has issued an apology to China over Kylian Mbappe’s controversial remarks about the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, after the Spanish football club’s initial response failed to quell anger in China. In a statement published on its website on Wednesday, the club apologised to the Chinese people for “any discomfort” caused by the French footballer’s remarks, a day after Mbappe issued his own public apology. The apology came after Chinese state broadcaster CCTV Sports rejected Real...
Vedanta explores Rs 80,000 crore investment in West Bengal, says Anil Agarwal
In a bold move, Vedanta Group's Anil Agarwal announced an investment strategy of Rs 70,000-80,000 crore in West Bengal, set to foster job creation for around 10,000 individuals. He conveyed confidence in the state's manufacturing potential and the necessity of leveraging local resources. This announcement came during a key meeting at Nabanna, highlighting Agarwal's commitment to positioning India as a manufacturing powerhouse on the global stage.
British PM Burnham commits to 'strongest possible' links with India in Diwali address
During his first Diwali as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham expressed his commitment to strengthen UK-India relations. The celebration at 10 Downing Street included lighting lamps and cultural performances. Burnham emphasized the importance of harmony among various communities in the UK. Key speakers highlighted the ongoing free trade agreement between the two countries and its benefits. The festive events reflect the growing partnership between the UK and India.
Assam Chief Minister chairs two crucial meetings in Dibrugarh to safeguard indigenous land rights
Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma convened a series of meetings in Dibrugarh, concentrating on securing land rights for indigenous peoples. The gatherings highlighted challenges related to land distribution for tribal families, particularly within the Moran and Matak communities. To aid in resolving these issues, youth will receive training for online applications, reinforcing initiatives aimed at preserving and respecting the land ownership of tribes in Upper Assam.
YouTube Outage: Thousands of users reportedly facing problems, reports claim issues with Google Search and Gmail too
Google services, including YouTube and YouTube Music, have reported significant issues on October 28, 2026. Thousands of users faced problems accessing these platforms, with complaints rising sharply throughout the day. Users encountered issues streaming videos and loading content, prompting discussion on social media. Despite reports of widespread problems, Google's official status dashboard shows services operational. The cause of these issues remains unclear and has not been confirmed by Google.
MoS Somanna sees 2028 message in NDA’s council poll sweep
Union Minister of State V Somanna highlighted the Congress party's failure in recent Legislative Council elections across multiple states. He pointed out that Congress did not secure any seats in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar, or Uttar Pradesh. Somanna used these results to challenge Congress's claims regarding electronic voting machines and alleged electoral fraud. The outcomes are perceived as a negative reflection on the Congress government in Karnataka.