SRINAGAR: Five freedom fighters were shot dead by government forces on Thursday in Indian-held Kashmir (IHK), officials said, as the occupied territory reels from the deadliest upsurge in armed conflict this decade.
More than 200 separatists have been killed in violent clashes in occupied Kashmir so far this year, officials say. In the latest skirmish, four gunmen were killed in central Budgam district in a firefight with Indian forces, said Indian army spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia.
A fifth suspect was killed in Sopore, an area northwest of the main city of Srinagar, he added. So far this year, 205 separatists have been killed, according to police officials and watchdogs – the highest number since 2010, when a bloody uprising over the death of three civilians saw hundreds killed in protests and armed clashes with Indian forces.
Published in Daily Times, December 1st 2017.
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