WORLD> Asia-Pacific
3 men blow themselves up in Pakistani Kashmir
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-11-21 22:01

ISLAMABAD: Police say three suspected militants blew themselves up as they were being pursued by authorities in the Pakistan-controlled portion of disputed Kashmir.

Related readings:
3 men blow themselves up in Pakistani Kashmir Pakistan: 8 militants killed in reported US strike
3 men blow themselves up in Pakistani Kashmir Suicide bomber kills 18 in Pakistan's Peshawar
3 men blow themselves up in Pakistani Kashmir Death of 6 civilians in Pakistan sparks protest
3 men blow themselves up in Pakistani Kashmir Girls' school blown up in Pakistan's tribal area
The incident underscores concerns that militants are preparing attacks in other areas to retaliate for an army offensive under way in South Waziristan near the border with Afghanistan.

Sardar Ilyas, a senior police officer in Kashmir, says the three militants fled after police acting on a tip raided their hide-out Saturday in the Thori area. He says the men detonated explosives on their bodies after being trapped while trying to escape up a mountain.

Pakistan and India both claim Kashmir and have fought two wars over the territory since their independence from British rule in 1947.