Two Suspected Rebels Killed in Kashmir Clash During National Elections
Two suspected rebels were killed in a firefight with Indian soldiers in Indian-administered Kashmir, in the southern Kulgam district.
The clash occurred on Monday when soldiers surrounded a house where armed militants were suspected to be hiding.
Two bodies of the suspected rebels have been recovered, and images show a house on fire during the skirmish.
Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their independence in 1947, with both claiming the Himalayan territory in full.
The incident comes during the ongoing national elections campaign in the disputed territory.
Insurgency in Indian-controlled Kashmir: Rebels have been demanding independence or merger with Pakistan since the 1990s, resulting in thousands of civilian, soldier, and militant deaths.
Violence and protests against Indian rule decreased after India revoked Kashmir's limited autonomy in 2019.
However, clashes between security forces and rebels have increased during India's six-week election, resulting in several deaths and injuries.
For instance, three suspected rebels were killed, and a police officer and three soldiers were wounded in three separate clashes in April.
Militants also ambushed a military convoy, killing one Indian air force corporal and wounding four other troops.