JAMMU, India, March 5 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - An army post in Kashmir was attacked Monday for the second time in two days, killing one soldier and injuring six, police said.
One Kashmiri fighter was also killed in the shootout that ensued after the pre-dawn attack in the southern Kashmiri district of Poonch, said regional police chief Ram Lubiya.
The incident came one day after four Indian soldiers were killed when a two-man squad attacked an army camp in Kashmir's Baramulla district.
Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel S.P.K Singh said the assault in Poonch had begun with a rocket attack and fighting was still going on around the army base.
The attack was the latest in a spate of operations launched against the security forces after the Indian government extended its supposed unilateral ceasefire in Kashmir 11 days ago.
The government announced on February 22nd that it was extending its suspension of counter-insurgency operations against Kashmiri groups until the end of May to give all parties in the Kashmir conflict time to work for peace.
Abdul Gani Bhat, the chairman of Kashmir's main alliance, the All Party Hurriyat Conference, said the government in New Delhi had to go further than simply extending its ceasefire.
"The ceasefire needs new subsequent steps to start serious talks ... we cannot live only on good intentions and bold steps," Bhat said.
"So far no steps have been taken by New Delhi, but we have also not given up hope and are sure the process will start soon."
The Hurriyat itself is divided between those like Bhat who favor a political settlement of the Kashmir dispute and others who support the rejection of the ceasefire.
