SRINAGAR, March 23: The death toll from days of fierce fighting between Indian troops and militants in occupied Kashmir has risen to 19, the army said on Monday.

The three gunbattles that broke out on Saturday followed a cross-border firing incident that left one Indian soldier injured.

“The three encounters have left eight soldiers and 11 well-trained militants dead since the fighting started on Saturday,” army spokesman J.S. Brar said reporters.

The gunbattles took place in the Kupwara sector bordering Azad Kashmir. The spokesman said the operation by hundreds of troops in the thickly forested area was continuing.—AFP
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