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Landmine blast kills 2 troopers in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Xinhua, August 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

Two Indian army troopers were killed in a landmine blast near the Line of Control (LoC) dividing Kashmir, officials said Monday.

The troopers were hit in Kargil sector of the Ladakh division while on a routine patrol in the area on Friday.

"Two soldiers were killed in a mine blast on LoC in Kargil sector," an Indian army official said. "The soldiers accidentally stepped on a mine laid underneath, resulting in its blast."

According to the officials, the duo were wounded critically and later succumbed to their wounds.

Indian army organised a wreath laying ceremony for the slain troopers in Leh town of the the division on Sunday and later their bodies were flown to their native places.

The LoC is de facto border that divides Kashmir into Indian and Pakistani-controlled parts. Both sides of the cease-fire line are believed to be heavily mined.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.

A guerilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. The gunfight between the two takes place intermittently. Endit