VOA News
28 Jun 2003, 22:15 UTC
Two Islamic militants have stormed an army camp in Indian-held Kashmir, killing 12 soldiers before they were shot dead in a two-hour gunbattle.
Saturday's attack near Jammu came as Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam wrapped up a visit aimed at calming the embattled region.
On Friday in Washington, the United States formally charged 11 men with conspiring to carry out terrorist attacks in Kashmir. Eight were rounded up in the United States and three are thought to be hiding in Saudi Arabia.
Several of the indicted men were also charged with going to Pakistan to train with the Lashkar-e-Taiba group. It is on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations, and U.S. officials say it is suspected of having links to al-Qaida.
A bail hearing for the eight jailed men is expected next week.
India blames Pakistan for arming the militants who want independence for Kashmir. Jammu-Kashmir is India's only predominantly Muslim state. Pakistan denies the Indian charge, saying it only provides moral and diplomatic support for what it calls the Kashmiri freedom struggle.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AF.
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