Indian forces kill 2 suspected rebels in Kashmir gunbattle

An Indian army official says government forces have killed two suspected rebels in a gunbattle in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir. [caption id=“attachment_2061407” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Reuters[/caption] Army spokesman Lt. Col. Nitin N. Joshi says the fighting erupted Saturday as soldiers and police were cordoning off the northern village of Thagund after receiving a tip that militants were hiding there. Joshi says the militants opened fire in an attempt to break through the barricade. Rebel groups have been fighting in the disputed region since 1989 to win Kashmir’s independence or have the Indian-controlled portion merge with Pakistan. AP