Gunfight between Indian police, rebels kills 5 in Kashmir

Kashmiri villagers carry the body of rebel Fayaz Ahamed during his funeral in Kaimuh, 67 kilometers (49 miles) south of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, May 7, 2017. Ahamed, one among the assailants was killed in a gun battle Saturday night after rebels attacked a police squad in the Indian portion of Kashmir. Three civilians and one officer were also killed in the gun battle. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) (The Associated Press)

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Kashmiri villagers attend the funeral of rebel Fayaz Ahamed in Kaimuh, 67 kilometers (49 miles) south of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, May 7, 2017. Ahamed, one among the assailants was killed in a gun battle Saturday night after rebels attacked a police squad in the Indian portion of Kashmir. Three civilians and one officer were also killed in the gun battle. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) (The Associated Press)

Kashmiri villagers attend the funeral of rebel Fayaz Ahamed during in Kaimuh, 67 kilometers (49 miles) south of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, May 7, 2017. Ahamed, one among the assailants was killed in a gun battle Saturday night after rebels attacked a police squad in the Indian portion of Kashmir. Three civilians and one officer were also killed in the gun battle. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) (The Associated Press)

Police say rebels have attacked a police squad in the Indian portion of Kashmir, triggering a gunbattle that left three civilians, one officer and an assailant dead.

Senior police officer S.P. Pani says the unit came under fire Saturday night as it reached a road accident site on a key highway connecting Kashmir Valley with the rest of India.

He says the dead civilians included road construction officials of a private company.

Insurgents have been fighting for Kashmir's independence from India or merger with neighboring Pakistan since 1989.

India accuses Pakistan of arming and training the rebels, a charge Islamabad denies. Pakistan says it only provides moral and diplomatic support to them. India and Pakistan have fought two wars for control of Kashmir.

https://www.foxnews.com/world/gunfight-between-indian-police-rebels-kills-5-in-kashmir