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Gunbattle Erupts in Indian-Controlled Kashmir
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=157BACF:A6F02AD83191E1600408940D4976DBC79574F7DCC14957C0 Four suspected
Islamic militants killed, some homes destroyed after police cordoned
off a village



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src="/english/images/AP_Kashmir_villagers_wait_out_til_fights_end_eng_195_25dec06.jpg"
width=210 vspace=2 border=0>

Kashmiri villagers wait to enter their village where gunfight between
Indian forces and suspected rebels was going on, in Tilgam, north of
Srinagar, India, 25 Dec 2006At least four people have been killed in
fighting between suspected Islamic militants and government troops in
Indian-controlled Kashmir.

The battle erupted on Saturday after police cordoned off a village
looking for suspected rebels.



Reports quote police officials as saying two militants and a senior
commanding officer are among the dead. Several people were injured and
a few residential homes were gutted.

Indian police tightened security in the area after the gun battle
ended.

Rebel Islamic groups have fought since 1989 for an independent Kashmir
or its merger with Pakistan. Some information for this report was
provided by AP.


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