Clashes in Kashmir kill 12

Srinagar: Eleven suspected Islamic militants and one Indian soldier died in gunbattles in India's portion of Kashmir this week, an army spokesman said on Wednesday.

The rebels have engaged in sporadic fighting with soldiers in India's Jammu-Kashmir state since Monday, a spokesman for the Indian army said.

Maheshwar said the guerrillas apparently infiltrated Indian territory from across the de facto border with Pakistan and that the army was searching for other infiltrators.

A rebel and an army officer were killed in fighting on Monday and six rebels were shot dead on Tuesday, he said. Four militants were killed on Wednesday, he added.

The fighting took place in Tangdar region, roughly 130 kilometres north of Srinagar, the state capital, Maheshwar said.

There was no independent confirmation of the gunbattle and no rebel group claimed responsibility.