SRINAGAR, Oct 16: Indian forces on Tuesday claimed killing 15 Kashmiri Mujahideen in clashes.

An Indian soldier, a policeman, two civilians and two children were also among the fatalities.

The killings followed heavy overnight firing by Indian troops on Pakistani positions across the Line of Control.

Three Mujahideen and an Indian soldier were killed in a fierce encounter at the village of Shalinder, near Bandipora town, 60 kilometres north of Srinagar.

A police spokesman said two more soldiers received bullet wounds during the clash, which erupted after the army moved in to conduct house-to-house searches in the village.

Soldiers shot dead another three Mujahideen near Langate township, 110 kilometres north of Srinagar, police said.

Two more were killed by troops at neighbouring Tootmar Gali, Kupwara district.

The Indian army has been carrying out operations in Baramulla and Kupwara following reports that Mujahideen were descending on the towns.

At Heerpora, near Shopian town, 50 kilometres south of Srinagar, two Mujahideen were killed in another operation by Indian forces, police claimed.

They further said five freedom fighters were killed in separate encounters in the Rajouri, Poonch, Anantnag and Kupwara districts.

A Muslim boy was killed when he touched an abandoned explosive device in the southern Anantnag district, while another boy was killed when he was caught in cross-fire between Mujahideen and Indian forces in district of Budgam.—AFP