JAMMU, Nov 27: At least five Indian soldiers and eight Mujahideen were killed in a fierce encounter in occupied Kashmir on Tuesday, a spokesman for the Indian army said.

Brigadier P.C. Das said the military casualties included two officers and that the gunbattle took place in Surankot district, some 240kms from occupied Jammu.

The Press Trust of India reported a higher death toll, saying six soldiers had been killed following an ambush by the Mujahideen.

Das told reporters that an army convoy was attacked in a forest near Poonch by some 20 heavily-armed freedom fighters.

“Eight of the militants (Mujahideen) are killed and a firefight is still on. We have sent in reinforcements to the site of the fighting,” Das said.—AFP