Police: Kashmir rebel in police custody killed in gunfight

Indian police in disputed Kashmir say a suspected rebel commander being held in police custody was killed in a gunfight between government forces and another militant

SRINAGAR, India -- A suspected rebel commander being held in police custody was killed in a gunfight between government forces and another militant in disputed Kashmir's main city, Indian police said Tuesday. The suspected commander, Nadeem Abrar, was arrested Monday in Srinagar city and put under interrogation, police said in a statement. Inspector General Vijay Kumar called his arrest a “big success" against Kashmiri rebels who have been fighting Indian rule since 1989. Police said Abrar, during a “sustained interrogation,” identified a house where he had concealed his automatic rifle. A police raiding party took Abrar to the house, where they were hit by gunfire from a Pakistani militant who was hiding inside, the statement said. It said Abrar and three Indian soldiers were hit by the shots, which sparked a gun battle that ended early Tuesday.