A six-year-old boy caught in crossfire was among five people killed in Indian Kashmir on Friday, officials said, as security forces step up a clampdown in the disputed Himalayan region.<\/p>\n
New Delhi has bolstered counter-insurgency efforts in the restive territory, with at least 33 separatist militants killed this month.<\/p>\n
The child was in a car that drove into a gun battle between suspected rebels and paramilitaries near the town of Bijbehara, a police officer told AFP.<\/p>\n
The boy and a soldier were injured during the exchange of fire and both later died in hospital, said the officer, who asked not to be named.<\/p>\n
Three rebels were killed in a separate firefight at Chewa, near the regions main city Srinagar, in a battle that lasted 20 hours, army spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said.<\/p>\n
Armed clashes are frequent in Indian Kashmir but have increased in recent weeks.<\/p>\n
Kashmir is claimed by both India and Pakistan and has been divided between the two nuclear-armed rivals since 1947.<\/p>\n
Rebel groups have fought for decades for Kashmirs independence or its merger with Pakistan.<\/p>\n
An insurgency launched three decades ago has claimed tens of thousands of lives.<\/p>\n
India has 500,000 soldiers stationed in its section of Kashmir and accuses Pakistan of arming militant groups there.<\/p>\n
Tensions have mounted again in Kashmir since August last year when India revoked the regions semi-autonomous status, detained local political leaders and imposed a months-long internet and mobile phone blackout.<\/p>\n
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6-year-old boy dies in Indian Kashmir crossfire - Macau Business<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A six-year-old boy caught in crossfire was among five people killed in Indian Kashmir on Friday, officials said, as security forces step up a clampdown in the disputed Himalayan region. New Delhi has bolstered counter-insurgency efforts in the restive territory, with at least 33 separatist militants killed this month. The child was in a car that drove into a gun battle between suspected rebels and paramilitaries near the town of Bijbehara, a police officer told AFP. Continue reading