SRINAGAR, June 2 (1996): Fifteen people, including four Indian soldiers, were killed overnight as militants stepped up violence in the troubled state of Kashmir, police said Tuesday.

Unidentified Moslem separatists ambushed a military convoy at Ranggar village in central Kashmir district of Budgam overnight killing two soldiers and a civilian on the spot, a police spokesman said.

“The Indian troops returned the fire but the militants escaped,” the spokesman said. “a civilian also got injured in the attack.”

In Bandoora district of southern Anantnag district, militants opened fire at a security patrol killing two personnel, police said.

“We have rushed more troops and cordoned off the area,” a police officgr said. “House-to-house searches are also on to nab the militants.”

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