Nine people died including two security force personnel when separatist Muslim militants attacked an army convoy in Indian-administered Kashmir, sparking a fierce gunbattle, a police spokesman said.
Two militants also died in the encounter which occurred after they opened fire and lobbed grenades at the security forces in the town of Baramulla, 55 kilometers (34 miles) north of Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar.
Five civilians died and more than 20 were injured in the exchange of fire. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals.
Seven troops were also injured in the attack.
A patrol party of India's Border Security Force (BSF), which was on the move in the area, had fired back at the militants, police said.
A police spokesman said the fighting had sparked panic and everyone in the locality had taken cover.
He said the exchange of fire had ended.
The entire area had been sealed off by the army, para-military and counter-insurgency police to prevent anyone escaping, police said -- AFP
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
