Rebels kill five soldiers in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Indian policemen and paramilitary forces search for militants in residential houses after a militant attack on Indian army (Yawar Nazir/Getty Images)

Five soldiers were killed and seven wounded on Monday in an attack by rebels on an army convoy in Indian-controlled Kashmir on the eve of a visit by the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh.

The killings came as government forces intensified security ahead of Mr Singh’s visit on Tuesday to prevent protests and attacks by rebels fighting against Indian rule.

Militants shot and killed two policemen in Kashmir’s main city of Srinagar last weekend. Police detained scores of separatist activists ahead of today’s visit.

“We’re taking all possible security measures to have an incident-free visit,” said Ashok Prasad, chief of police.

AP