Off-duty India soldier kidnapped, killed in Kashmir

Suspected separatists in Indian-administered Kashmir abducted and killed a military officer who was home on leave for a wedding, the army said on Wednesday.
Villagers found Ummer Faiyaz’s body early Wednesday, a day after he was snatched by unidentified men at his cousin’s wedding.
“Some unidentified terrorists yesterday abducted and then killed a young unarmed army officer,” an army statement said.
The killing comes amid an upsurge in violence in the disputed Himalayan region, where separatists opposed have repeatedly attacked government forces and banks in recent weeks.
Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British rule in 1947, but both claim the territory in its entirety.
Around 500,000 Indian soldiers are deployed in Indian-administered Kashmir, making it one of the most heavily militarised places in the world. Many local people deeply resent their presence.
Officials say the ranks of separatist groups fighting for independence have swelled since last July when the killing of a popular militant leader by government forces sparked months of unrest across the territory that left more than 100 people dead.
On Sunday, separatists attacked a police squad in Kashmir, triggering a gunbattle that left three civilians, one officer and an assailant dead.
The unit came under fire Saturday night as it reached a road accident site on a key highway connecting Kashmir with the rest of India, said senior police officer S.P. Pani.
He said the dead civilians were road construction officials of a private company.
One civilian and one police officer also were injured in the shootout, he said.
Police believe two insurgents escaped under the cover of darkness after the officers swiftly retaliated in Malpora, a village 65 km (40 miles) south of Srinagar.
Later, thousands of people participated in the burial of the militant. They chanted anti-India slogans amid a gun salute by militants who joined the procession.
Insurgents have been fighting for Kashmir’s independence from India or merger with neighboring Pakistan since 1989.
Last week, the Indian army launched a massive search operation in southern Kashmir to hunt for militants.

Source: Arab News