25 Killed in Kashmir Gunbattles

02/04/2001| IslamWeb

SRINAGAR, India-ruled Kashmir (Islamweb & Agencies) - Twenty-five people - six soldiers, 18 Resistance men, and one civilian - were killed in skirmishes in Jammu-Kashmir on Tuesday as India pressed an offensive against Islamic Resistance groups.
India began the offensive in May after the end of a so-calle six-month unilateral cease-fire. Since then, more than 300 Resistance men have been killed by Indian occupation forces.
The government reports at least 30,000 people have been killed in the fighting in the past 11 years, but human rights groups have said the toll is closer to double that.
India and Pakistan claim all of Jammu-Kashmir and have fought two wars over the region, which is divided between them.
The disputed Himalayan region is expected to be the main issue in talks this weekend between Pakistan's president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.