Indian police blame Kashmir rebels for death of boy hostage

SRINAGAR, India – Indian police have blamed rebels for the death of a 12-year-old boy who was held hostage during a clash in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir.

Police officer Rahul Malik says the boy was taken hostage by the insurgents and killed Friday in the northern town of Hajin during a search operation by government forces which left two insurgents dead.

Rebels have been fighting for Kashmir's independence from India or its merger with neighboring Pakistan since 1989.

Malik provided new details on Monday after a preliminary investigation into Friday's clash. He said the insurgents initially held two civilians as hostages. He said one, a 60-year-old man, managed to escape but the militants killed the boy.