Four Killed by New Clash in Indian Kashmir

Three soldiers and an Islamic separatist were killed in a clash in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, where several armed groups are fighting to secede. During the clash in Bandipora district, at least nine soldiers were also wounded, a military source told NDTV.

The shooting began when security forces surrounded a house where a group of extremists was hiding.

Two days ago a couple of soldiers and four members of the outlawed Hizbul Mujahideen organization were killed during a similar incident in Frisal village in Kulgan district.

A total of 90 members of the Indian security forces were killed in 2016 by insurgent groups in Jammu and Kashmir, according to the Institute of Conflict Management.

The NGO said that this is the highest death toll since 2008 when 90 soldiers and policemen were killed in the territory.

India accuses Pakistan of backing and training militias in Jammu and Kashmir, while the neighboring country denies this, considering them to be non-government actors.