SRINAGAR, July 13: A fierce day-long gunbattle between Indian troops and militants raged on Wednesday after what the Indian army alleged was the largest attempted infiltration into occupied Kashmir since Islamabad and New Delhi launched a peace process 19 months ago.

“The fighting between the two sides was continuing late afternoon in the glacial heights of Gurez in (northern) Baramulla district,” army spokesman Vijay Batra said.

He alleged the militants had been crossing the Line of Control (LoC) in groups since Monday.

“They were traced inside our territory late Tuesday and engaged in a gunbattle by alert soldiers,” said Mr Batra.

Adverse weather conditions were hampering operations against the militants, he added.

“The terrain is very difficult. Troops are trying to encircle the militants from all sides as they (militants) have taken positions on hilltops,” spokesman Vijay Batra said, adding reinforcements were being sent to the area.

He would not say how many militants were engaged in the battle, but Indian media reports quoting army sources put the number at 35.—AFP