Troops, militants clash in Kashmir

NEW DELHI, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Fighting between security forces and militants in a forested and mountainous region of India-controlled Kashmir entered its seventh day Wednesday.

India's army leader said the battle, which began Dec. 31, is taking so long because of the terrain and the force's desire to avoid casualties, the Press Trust of India reported.

"We are trying to avoid (casualties). The area is very rocky and filled with natural caves. That is why it is taking time," Army Chief Gen. Deepak Kapoor said in Srinagar.

So far two soldiers one policeman and four militants have died in the latest fighting, one of the longest exchanges in the 20-year armed insurgency, CNN reported.

Officials said they suspected members of the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group based in Pakistan were involved in Wednesday's fighting in the Bhati Dhar jungles, PTI said.

"The holed -up militants, who have been exchanging fire with the security forces for the last week, seem to be from JeM based on the intercepts" the military received, Brig. Gen. Gurdeep Singh said.