Seven Indian soldiers killed in attack in held Kashmir

SRINAGAR: At least seven Indian soldiers were killed in a separatist attack on Indian army base near Jammu in held Kashmir on early Tuesday, police officials said.

This is the boldest assault on a military base in the region in recent months, officials said.

The gunmen raided the base just before dawn, firing at officers before entering the officers’ mess Jammu-based army spokesman Manish Mehta said.

Three separatists were killed during the attack, which took place in India’s northern Jammu and Kashmir state.

Pakistan has been repeatedly raising the issue of India’s abusing the rights of Muslim Kashmiris opposed to Indian occupation.

India-Occupied Kashmir has been gripped by protests since security forces killed a popular separatist leader in July. A crackdown in response to the protests has paralysed much of the region and more than 80 civilians have been killed.

Attacks against Indian security forces have increased in recent months.