SRINAGAR,April 29 (2003): Eight soldiers and 13 Muslim rebels were killed in a gunbattle in Indian Kashmir on Tuesday as violence intensified after the prime ministers of India and Pakistan discussed ways to improve relations.

A total of 25 people died across Jammu and Kashmir state on Tuesday in one of the bloodiest days in recent weeks.

A police spokesman said the gunbattle took place in remote Doda district in southern Kashmir.

He said the militants were hiding in two houses which they then set on fire. “Security forces rescued seven civilians from the houses,” he added.

Earlier on Tuesday, soldiers gunned down a suspected militant who was part of a group trying to enter an Indian army camp in Kupwara district. The militant was later identified as a member of the banned Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad group, officials said.
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