3 troopers killed in blast in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Three Indian army troopers were killed and six others were injured in a blast inside their vehicle in Indian-controlled Kashmir, Indian defense officials said Friday.

The blast took place Thursday night at Pattan town in Baramulla district, 30 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"The explosion took place last night inside a vehicle that was part of an army convoy heading toward Baramulla. The blast killed two soldiers on spot, while leaving seven others injured. However, of the injured another one succumbed to his injuries later on," said a police official.

Indian army spokesman in Srinagar Lt. Col. J. S. Brar said they have ordered an investigation in the matter and are awaiting the investigation report.

Some reports said blast was an "accidental one" as the troops were carrying explosive devices with them.

Indian-controlled Kashmir is considered as one of the highest militarized regions in the world. Officially India does not reveal the actual number of its troops deployed in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Rights groups say that India has deployed more than 700, 000 troopers and paramilitary troopers in the region to counter militants fighting in the region.

A guerrilla war is also going on between militants and the Indian troops stationed in Indian-controlled Kashmir over the past two decades

Separatists in the region have been consistently demanding the withdrawal of troops and scrapping of their special powers and have even made it a pre-condition for entering into formal talks with New Delhi.

Source: Xinhua