Militants killed in Kashmir

The Indian army has launched a major anti-militancy drive

At least eight suspected militants have been killed in separate incidents of violence in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

They occurred last night in three different parts of the border district of Poonch, about 250 km north of Jammu.

The police said in one incident a group of militants opened fire on a police team, leading to an exchange of gunfire that lasted for about an hour.

Three policemen are reported to have been wounded in the shooting that lasted an hour.

One report says the militants were from the Jaish-e-Mohammad (Army of Mohammad) - a group launched recently by Muslim cleric Masood Azhar.

Mr Azhar was released from an Indian prison in exchange for hostages on board a hijacked Indian airliner last December.

In another exchange of gunfire, the security forces killed two suspected militants, also in Poonch.

A large cache of arms and ammunition is said to have been seized, including rockets, grenades and explosives.

Tough stand

The security forces have described the killings as an important turning point in their latest anti-militancy drive.

It was launched after the Indian army lost five of its officers earlier this week.

India's Home Minister, LK Advani, said India will be firm while dealing with violence in Kashmir.

"We cannot win this war by adopting the policy of weakness and surrender," a government statement quoted Mr Advani as saying.

India blames Pakistan for fomenting militant violence in Kashmir, a charge that has been consistently denied.

Earlier this month a leading separatist group, Hizbul Mujahideen, offered and then withdrew a ceasefire.

The Hizbul Mujahideen broke off peace talks over a refusal by India to include Pakistan in tripartite talks.