4 soldiers killed in LoC gun battle

Six-hour gun battle close to Line of Control left four infiltrators dead.

Four soldiers and four suspected infiltrators were killed in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday in a six-hour gun battle close to the Line of Control (LoC).

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Army sources said the incident in Bhimbhar Gali, sandwiched between Rajouri and Poonch districts, began when a group of four infiltrators opened fire on soldiers at 1.30 am. The four soldiers, all belonging to the Sikh Light Infantry, died immediately.

Troops retaliated and killed all the four. The encounter lasted well into Friday morning, the sources said.

The Army has heightened vigil along the LoC, where a ceasefire has been in effect since November 26, 2003.