NEW DELHI, India -- Indian soldiers swept the last rebels from their side of the disputed Kashmir region Monday after killing 32 guerrillas in weekend fighting and losing seven of their own men, the army said.

"All the intruders have now been evicted and there is no Pakistani presence in Indian territory," said Lt. Gen. N.C. Vij, director-general of military operations.Sporadic shelling, however, continued on both sides, with the Pakistanis targeting some forward Indian posts, Vij said.

"We will continue to maintain extra vigil and will remain in a state of full preparedness to face any eventuality," he said.

Early this year, hundreds of Islamic fighters seized mountaintops inside the Indian-held part of the frigid northern territory. In May, India launched a campaign to evict the infiltrators, most of whom left after India and Pakistan agreed to halt the fighting two weeks ago.

View Comments

However, skirmishes continued in a few areas along the 110-mile battle zone. By Sunday, India was on its way to clearing the area after taking control of the strategic Dras region, the army said. Troops Monday pushed the remaining guerrillas out of Batalik and the Mushkoh Valley.

India recaptured Dras on Sunday after taking Sando Top and Zulu Top, the only two peaks in the region that remained under rebel control, the army said.

In weekend fighting, six of the seven Indian dead were killed by land mines and 13 others were wounded in mine blasts, the army said.

India accuses Pakistan of training and arming the Islamic militants, and says the infiltrators were mostly Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan denies the charges.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.