Five martyred in IHK as freedom fighters death toll exceeds 200 this year

Five freedom fighters were martyred by occupation forces on Thursday in Indian-held Kashmir, officials said, as the disputed territory reels from the deadliest upsurge in armed conflict this decade. More than 200 freedom fighters have been martyred in violent clashes in IHK so far this year, officials say, amid a military campaign to rout groups.
In the latest skirmish, four freedom fighters were martyred in central Budgam district in a firefight with Indian forces, said army spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia. A fifth freedom fighter was martyred in Sopore, an area northwest of the main city of occupied Srinagar, he added.
So far this year 205 freedom fighters have been killed, according to police officials and watchdogs - the highest number since 2010, when a bloody uprising over the death of three civilians saw hundreds killed in protests and armed clashes with Indian forces. "The number of militant killings is higher this year because more youth joined their ranks after last year's summer protests," a top police officer told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Civilians still often break curfew to rally whenever freedom fighters are martyred or holed up in firefights, hurling stones and chanting anti-India slogans. An Indian solider was wounded in the Sopore firefight on Thursday and three civilians were injured by pellets fired by government forces to disperse protesters in Budgam, a police officer said on condition of anonymity. Indian officials believe around 200 freedom fighters are still active across the portion of the territory they control.