Seven Indian soldiers killed in attack on army base

SRINAGAR: Attackers targetted an Indian army base near the Pakistan border early Tuesday, killing seven soldiers including two officers, police said.

"Three to four militants entered the Army Corps headquarters at Nagrota and fired towards the officers´ mess. Two officers were killed and an exchange of fire is on," a senior police officer told AFP on condition of anonymity.

According to details, the Indian army camp was attacked by grenades thrown by the attackers. Indian media claimed that the attackers were killed during an operation after the attack. 

Indian media also claimed that 16 hostages were also rescued by the security forces. 

Immediately after the attack, the administration ordered schools to be closed in the area. The Indian Army had sealed the area after receiving information of the presence of suicide bombers. 

India and Pakistan have exchanged fire across the Line of Control over the past couple of months, ever since tensions escalated between the two nuclear-armed nations after the Uri attack, in which 19 Indian soldiers were killed. 

India blamed Pakistan for being involved in the incident without any investigation, which the latter vehemently denied.