Asia-Pacific
2 attackers killed as Kashmir gunbattle ends
(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-01-07 21:45
 |
Large Medium Small |
|
 A hotel where militants were holing up is seen in flames during a gun battle with Indian security forces in Srinagar January 7, 2010. [Photo/Agencies] |
SRINAGAR, India: Government forces in Indian-controlled Kashmir ended a 20-hour gunbattle with suspected rebels Thursday, shooting and killing the two attackers who paralyzed the region's main city.
The attack was the first prolonged gunfight in Srinagar since 2006 and raised concerns about a possible spike in violence in the tense region after years of declining attacks.
The heavily militarized territory is claimed in its entirety by India and neighboring Pakistan -- both nuclear armed nations -- and the dispute has sparked two wars between the rival countries.
The assailants then took refuge in a hotel, where they held off troops throughout the night. Early Thursday, government forces fought their way into the hotel, killing the men, said Ahmed.
Government soldiers were searching the area for any leftover explosives and any other suspicious items, Ahmed said.
The fighting wounded 10, including four soldiers, he said.
One portion of the hotel, which is located in the usually crowded Lal Chowk area in the heart of the city, caught fire during the prolonged gunbattle. Fire engines were trying to douse the flames.
Dozens of armored vehicles swarmed the business district, which was closed to the public after the attack.
The wounded civilians, who were hospitalized with bullet and shrapnel wounds, included a cameraman from a television news channel, said police officer Sajad Ahmed.
Jamiat-ul-Mujahedeen, one of the rebel groups active in the area, claimed responsibility for the attack in a fax sent to the Press Trust of India news agency.
"The attack is in response to India's propaganda that the armed struggle has weakened in Kashmir," the statement said.
