SUNJJAWAN, June 28: Two Mujahideen stormed an Indian army camp in occupied Kashmir on Saturday, killing 12 soldiers before being shot dead, the army said.

The incident came as Indian President Abdul Kalam wrapped up a rare visit to occupied Kashmir by offering prayers for peace at the occupied Kashmir’s most revered Muslim shrine and meeting soldiers stationed at the volatile frontier with Pakistan.

The two Mujahideen hurled grenades as they infiltrated the Sunjjawan camp, a sprawling compound 10 kilometers from Jammu.

“The moment they entered they started firing indiscriminately,” an army commander, Brigadier J.S. Thind, told reporters at the base.

Most troops were still sleeping, waking up to find themselves under fire. Soldiers were rushed to the barracks under attack, setting off a gunbattle.

“Unfortunately we have suffered some casualties. Twelve were killed and seven injured,” Brig Thind said.

He said the Kashmiri fighters were also gunned down.

“We do not know as yet which place they belong to, but evidently the weapons used appear to be from across the border,” Brig Thind said in reference to Pakistan.

In separate violence in occupied Kashmir overnight, the Indian army shot dead two members of the Hizbul Mujahedin, in the central Budgam district, police said. A civilian was also killed in the crossfire.

India and Pakistan also traded fire on Saturday over their de facto Kashmir border near Kargil, leaving one dead on the Indian side, police said.

The violence came hours after Kalam arrived in Srinagar.

Mr Kalam, winding up a three-day visit to Kashmir, prayed for peace when he visited Srinagar’s Hazratbal shrine.

The president later went to an army post at Uri on the de facto border, just seven kilometers away from Pakistani military positions.—AFP