Fresh fighting breaks out in Kashmir

Fresh clashes in the Indian-Administered Kashmir left at least eight people dead and several others injured on Wednesday amid escalating conflict there.

The Indian army says two soldiers and an officer are among those killed in the gun battle in Sopore town, south of the capital Srinagar.

The clashes erupted on Tuesday after Indian troops surrounded two houses they allege an armed group was holed up in.

“Five militants, including a top Lashkar-e Taiba commander, are believed to have been killed in the gunfight. But this would be only confirmed after the debris clearing operation is completed,” the Hindustan Times quoted a regional security official as saying.

Three other troops and a civilian were injured in the fierce exchange of fire that raged for several hours.

Police are still searching for bodies of more gunmen in the ruins of the building, which was destroyed in the battle.

Indian troops are in constant fights with militants seeking independence in the area.

Over the past two decades, the conflict in Kashmir has left over 47,000 people dead by the official count, although other sources say the death toll could be as high as 90,000.