SRINAGAR, India — In a tragic incident in Indian-administered Kashmir, an ambush by rebels resulted in the deaths of two army soldiers along with two civilian porters. This unfortunate event occurred on Thursday night as the soldiers were traveling in an army vehicle near the heavily fortified line of control close to the popular tourist destination of Gulmarg, according to local authorities.

Reports indicate that the rebels opened fire on the military vehicle, leading to the fatalities of the two soldiers and their two civilian companions, who were assisting the military as porters. Additionally, three other soldiers sustained injuries in the attack. The military described the encounter as a brief skirmish but did not provide extensive details regarding the incident.

Independent verification of the event has not yet been achieved. In a related occurrence just days prior, armed assailants shot and killed at least seven workers and injured five others who were engaged in a vital tunnel construction project near Sonamarg, another resort town in the region. Authorities attributed blame for this attack to militants opposed to Indian governance in the area, a struggle that has persisted for decades.

Since 1989, insurgents in the Indian-controlled segment of Kashmir have been actively resisting New Delhi’s administration. A significant portion of the Muslim population in Kashmir supports the insurgents’ objective of merging the region with Pakistan or establishing it as a sovereign nation.

The Indian government characterizes the Kashmiri insurgency as terrorism funded by Pakistan, a claim that Pakistan disputes. Furthermore, many residents of Kashmir perceive their struggle as a legitimate pursuit of freedom. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of lives, including civilians, rebels, and government forces alike.

The territorial dispute over Kashmir has been a pivotal issue between nuclear-powered neighbors India and Pakistan, leading to them waging two of their three wars since their independence from British colonial rule in 1947.