960415

27 Kashmiris, 9

Indian troops

killed in

fresh violence

NEW DELHI: At least nine Indian troops and 27 pro-plebiscite Kashmiris were killed in stepped up battle for freedom across Indian occupied Kashmir since last evening.

According to sources eight para-military troops and 10 pro-plebiscite Kashmiris were killed in enraging battle that occurred during a so-called combing operation by Indian troops in Grundi-Bhala in Doda district in Jammu last evening. The battle continued for seven hours as the Indian troops laid a seige of the area to conduct the operation, sources added.

Another Indian troop, belonging to central reserve police force (CRPF) was killed and three others seriously injured when an explosion blew up their vehicle at Regal Chowk of Srinagar on Monday.

Indian troops in their stepped up offensive gunned down five Kashmiris at Shahlal in Kupwara district and another five pro-plebiscite Kashmiris in Baramulla district during so-called combing operations last evening.

Three slain bodies with bullet marks were recovered from Badgam, Kupwara and Doda districts during the period. Two of them have been identified as Khizar Mohammad Malik and Mohammad Iqbal. They are suspected to have been tortured to death by Indian troops, sources added.

During the period Indian troops arrested scores of Kashmiri youths including a woman from various parts of the valley.-APP