SRINAGAR, India — Five Indian military troopers have been killed on Thursday when rebels preventing towards Indian rule ambushed a army car within the disputed Himalayan area of Kashmir, the army stated.

Militants attacked the military car with gunfire within the southern Rajouri sector close to the extremely militarized Line of Control that divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan, a army assertion stated. It stated 5 troopers died within the assault and one other was critically injured.

The assertion stated the “unidentified terrorists” took “advantage of heavy rains and low visibility in the area.”

“The vehicle caught fire due to likely use of grenades by terrorists,” it added.

There was no impartial affirmation of the incident.

Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan every administer a part of Kashmir, however each declare the territory in its entirety.

Rebel teams have been preventing since 1989 for Kashmir’s independence or merger with neighboring Pakistan.

Most Muslim Kashmiris assist the insurgent objective of uniting the territory, both underneath Pakistani rule or as an impartial nation.

New Delhi insists the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Pakistan denies the cost, and most Kashmiris take into account it a legit freedom battle.

Tens of 1000’s of civilians, rebels and authorities forces have been killed within the battle.