VOA News Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 Police say Indian troops have shot and killed at least six Islamist militants during separate gunbattles in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
The fighting between security forces and militants began Monday and continued Tuesday in the troubled Himalayan region.
This violence comes ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama’s scheduled visit to India on November 6.
Last week, India’s top security official G.K. Pillai said Kashmiri separatists may try to stage attacks during Mr. Obama’s visit. The home minister said the militants would like to stage a “spectacular event” to draw worldwide attention.
Kashmir has been plagued by months of anti-India protests, which have left more than 110 people dead.
Kashmiri separatists have been fighting since 1989 for independence from India or a merger with Pakistan. The conflict has killed more than 60,000 people.
Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan and claimed in full by both.
Some information in this story was provided by Reuters.