Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, five Indian troops including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), were killed in an attack in Poonch district, Kashmir media service reported.

The troops were killed in an attack when they were engaged in a cordon and search operation in Surankote area of the district.

A reinforcement of Indian soldiers and police was sent to the area, said Lt. Col. Devender Anand, an Indian army spokesman adding that the fighting was ongoing.

Monday’s fighting comes amid a sweeping crackdown by Indian forces in the Kashmir Valley following a string of killings in Srinagar last week. Police detained over 900 people for questioning.