ABC News: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
SRINAGAR, India — Three Indian soldiers were killed in a gunbattle with rebels fighting against New Delhi\u2019s rule in Kashmir, officials said Saturday, as authorities stepped up security on the fourth anniversary since India revoked the disputed region\u2019s special status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The battle broke out after soldiers acting on \u201cspecific inputs\u201d about the presence of militants launched a search operation in the forests of southern Kulgam area late Friday, an Indian military handout said. It said three soldiers were injured in the exchange of gunfire with rebels, and they later died.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The search operation continued in the area, the military said, but did not give any other details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
India and Pakistan each claim the divided territory of Kashmir in its entirety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rebels in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhi\u2019s rule since 1989. Most Muslim Kashmiris support the rebel goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fighting coincides with the anniversary of India\u2019s 2019 decision to strip the region\u2019s statehood, its separate constitution and inherited protections on land and jobs \u2014 a change that deepened political chaos in the Himalayan territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police detained many politicians and activists and kept some under house arrest to stop them from protesting against the Indian government\u2019s decision, which has also since been accompanied by a slew of new legislation including a controversial residency law that made it possible for Indian nationals to become permanent residents of the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The changes were brought by Prime Minister Narendra Modi\u2019s government on Aug. 5, 2019, and the move resonated in much of India, where his administration was cheered by supporters for fulfilling a long-held Hindu nationalist pledge to correct \u201ca historical blunder.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Modi\u2019s government maintains that the region has prospered with greater developmental work and that militancy was largely wiped out after the decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n