Kashmir attack kills five Indian soldiers

Suspected rebels killed five soldiers in Indian-administered Kashmir when they opened fire and threw explosives at an army truck, a military statement cited by AFP said.

The vehicle caught fire “due to likely use of grenades” thrown by the unidentified attackers in the southern Rajouri sector, close to the unofficial border dividing Kashmir and Pakistan, it said.

“Five personnel of the Rashtriya Rifles Unit deployed for Counter Terrorist operations in this area have unfortunately lost their lives in the incident,” the army’s northern command said in the statement.

Another soldier was seriously wounded and was taken to a military hospital for treatment, it said.

Videos from the scene showed an army vehicle engulfed in flames on a highway in the mountainous area.

Security forces were searching the highly militarised area, which is also claimed by Pakistan, for the attackers.