Indian police blame Kashmir rebels for death of boy hostage
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.