JAMMU, April 29: Six Indian soldiers and 13 militants were killed in a clash in occupied Kashmir’s Doda district on Tuesday.

Indian troops came under heavy fire during a search operation in the Barat Nala area of Doda, 180kms southeast of held Jammu, a police spokesman said.

The operation was launched after a tipoff that a group of militants was trying to “infiltrate” into occupied Kashmir from Azad Kashmir, the spokesman added.

He added the exchange lasted for three hours after which the soldiers found the bodies of 13 militants.

Two Indian soldiers died on the spot, while four others who had been wounded died on their way to hospital.

Two soldiers and a policeman were also seriously injured in the encounter.

“Seven civilians were rescued by the Indian army and police. In the encounter, two houses which the militants were using as a hideout were ... damaged,” said the spokesman. —AFP