Himalayan News Service

Jammu, July 8:

Four soldiers and four suspected infiltrators were killed in Jammu and Kashmir today in a six-hour gun battle close to the Line of Control (LoC) that divides the state between India and Pakistan. Army sources said the incident in Bhimbhar Gali, sandwiched between Rajouri and Poonch districts, began when a group of four infiltrators opened fire on soldiers at 1.30 am. The four soldiers, all belonging to the Sikh Light Infantry, died immediately. Troops retaliated and killed all the four. The encounter lasted well into this morning, the sources said. The army has heightened vigil along the LoC, where a ceasefire has been in effect since November 26, 2003.