November 3, 2001	Saturday	Shaba’an 16, 1422

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JAMMU, Nov 2: The Indian army on Friday claimed killing 20 Kashmiri Mujahideen in a fierce battle. It also accused Pakistan troops of shelling Indian villages near the Line of Control (LoC).

A top commander alleged Pakistani forces shelled the Nowshehra and Poonch areas, 250 kilometres northwest of occupied Jammu, to “push through the militants”.

He said the shelling caused no casualties on the Indian side, but it was unclear whether injuries were caused by Indian retaliatory fire across the LoC.

The commander said a group of “foreign mercenaries” opened fire on Indian troops in the Poonch district. Fighting lasted several hours, after which 20 bodies were recovered.

Some of the fighters may have escaped and a manhunt has been launched to find them, he added. He said the Indian search operation was impeded by heavy rain.

“Troops have been directed to take any suitable and effective measures to foil any infiltration or intrusion bid from across the LoC,” he said.

SHOOTOUTS: Eleven people were killed across the occupied valley in shootouts and a grenade explosion, police said on Friday.—Reuters