Deadly raid on army camp in Indian Kashmir

Suicide attack ahead of visit to the region by Prime Minister Modi leaves three soldiers and two policemen dead.


An attack on an army camp in Indian-administered Kashmir has killed three soldiers and two policemen, as the state votes in local elections, according to Indian officials.

Two of the attackers also died during Friday's assault, described by officials as a suicide raid on the army camp in Uri, near the Line of Control (LoC) that divides the disputed Himalayan region.

The attack occurred ahead of a visit to the region on Monday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Al Jazeera's Karishma Vyas, reporting from New Delhi, said that the attack started before daw. She said the number of casualties could still rise, as the operation continues.

Uri is around 100km northwest of Srinagar, where Modi is due to campaign on Monday.

The state of Jammu and Kashmir is holding provincial elections in phases, with results due on December 23.

"It's a highly sensitive time as the region holds several phases of local elections," our correspondent said.

Turnout was high for the first phase of voting on November 25, when more than 70 percent of the electorate cast their ballots in 15 constituencies.

About a dozen rebel groups have been fighting Indian forces since 1989 for independence or to merge the territory with Pakistan. The fighting has left tens of thousands dead, mostly civilians.