SRINAGAR: Four Indian soldiers and as many militants were killed on Tuesday in gun battles in India-held Kashmir, in the second outbreak of violence between security forces and militants in three days.

Three soldiers and a militant died in a shootout in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, as a joint army and police team mounted a search following a tip-off that militants were in the area, a defence spokesman said. Five soldiers were injured.

“During the searches, militants hiding in a house opened fire, triggering off an encounter,” Lt Col Rajesh Kalia said.

Separately, security forces shot dead three militants in Handwara district, a senior police official said. An Indian army officer was also killed in the gun battle.

Four militants and two Indian soldiers were among at least seven killed in a gun battle and subsequent protests in south Kashmir on Sunday.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2017