Kashmir gunfight leaves 10 Indian soldiers, suspected militants dead

A gunfight has claimed the lives of five soldiers and five suspected militants in the disputed region of Kashmir, police say.

The fighters on Wednesday attacked security troops carrying out a search operation in forests around Kupwara, 95 km (60 miles) north of the main city of Srinagar, said Shamsher Hussain, senior superintendent of police in Kupwara.

"They are all Pakistanis and have probably infiltrated a few days ago," Hussain said, adding that the exchange of gunfire had stopped and the search operation was ongoing.

Tensions are high in the Indian-controlled region, where the Muslim-majority population stages regular protests against the Indian rule and demands autonomy from New Delhi.

India regularly accuses Pakistan of arming and training militants and allowing them across the restive frontier in an attempt to launch attacks on Indian forces. Pakistan strongly denies the allegation.

SS