13 killed in Kashmir battles
NEW DELHI, India (CNN) -- Eight suspected Muslim separatist militants and five Indian security members were killed Saturday in fierce battles in the disputed territory of Kashmir, according to police in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
On the outskirts of the northern town of Bandipore, an army patrol was fired on by suspected militants in a snowy, forested area. Seven militants and three soldiers were killed.
In the southern town of Pulwama, Indian paramilitaries staged a raid on the Hizbul Mujahedin, targeting the group's intelligence chief, Tariq Aziz.
Aziz eluded capture, but two of the Indian paramilitaries and a suspected militant were killed.
The incident comes a day after two key members of the group were killed by Indian security forces.
Indian and Pakistani leaders are gearing up to hold one-on-one talks. The countries have fought wars over the disputed territory.
