6 rebels, soldier killed in Kashmir ahead of Modi’s visit

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Six suspected rebels and an Indian paramilitary officer have been killed in two separate clashes in Indian-controlled Kashmir, days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the disputed region. Police say a gunfight broke out on the outskirts of southern Jammu city early Friday, leaving two militants and a paramilitary officer dead. At least two soldiers and two police were wounded. Police say the militants were infiltrators from Pakistan and likely sent to sabotage Modi’s visit. Government forces killed four militants in a separate clash that also wounded at least four soldiers and a policeman. Modi is scheduled to speak Sunday in his first public event since New Delhi stripped Kashmir of its semi-autonomous status in 2019.