Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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August 13, 2007

25 Missing in Indian Kashmir as Deadly Fire Blazes Into Third Day
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1898441:A6F02AD83191E160C3CD29CC398963249574F7DCC14957C0 Officials say
missing include 10 soldiers, 13 firefighters, two civilians; fire
began Saturday morning at Khandroo depot south of Srinagar





Sparks fly from exploding shells, as fire breaks out at the Indian
Army's largest arms depot in Kashmir, 11 Aug 2007Officials in Indian
Kashmir say at least 25 people are missing at an army ammunition depot
after firefighters managed to control a deadly fire blazing into its
third straight day.

Authorities say the missing include 10 soldiers, 13 firefighters and
two civilians. The fire, which began Saturday morning at the Khandroo
depot south of Srinagar, has killed at least four people and wounded
more than 35 others.

Massive explosions triggered by the fire sent shells and shrapnel into
nearby villages, forcing more than 20,000 residents to evacuate.

The army has dispatched bomb-disposal squads to secure the area and
remove any unexploded ammunition.

Two militant groups - including the region's most prominent, Hizbul
Mujahideen - claimed responsibility for the fire, but the army says it
is investigating the cause and has ruled out terrorist action.

Separately, Indian police say suspected militants launched a grenade
attack Monday, in Bandipora town in north Kashmir. At least two people
were injured, with one report saying two people were killed.

Indian Kashmir is in the grip af an 18-year insurgency, which
officials say has claimed more than 45,000 lives. Rebel groups are
fighting for an independent Kashmir or its merger with Pakistan.



Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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