Twelve killed in IOK violence amid virus lockdown

Nine freedom fighters martyred and three soldiers were killed in two separate incidents in Indian-occupied Kashmir, officials said Sunday, as authorities enforced a lockdown to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Indian army spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said five armed freedom fighters were martyred early Sunday in the northern Keran area close to Line of Control (LoC).
The clashes also left three soldiers dead and critically injured several more, he said in a brief statement.
The fighting came within 24 hours of another gun battle between suspected freedom fighters and government forces in the southern Kulgam area that left four martyred. Police said all four were freedom fighters from the local area.