Militants attack Indian army base in Kashmir killing 17

[Anthea]

Four of the attackers were killed carrying guns and grenades as they stormed a base in Ur

It is the deadliest attack on security forces in Kashmir in two decades

It comes as violent protests against Indian rule in the disputed region continue, with a strict curfew imposed.

More than 80 people, nearly all anti-government protesters, have died in more than two months of violence.

A search is under way for other militants believed to be hiding in the area, according to the army.

"We salute the sacrifice of 17 soldiers who were martyred in the operation," a statement said.

The militants infiltrated across the Line of Control from Pakistan before attacking the base, west of Srinagar, the army officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Gunfire and explosions were heard for several hours.

Many tents and temporary shelters caught fire during the attack, according to the army's Northern Command.

Twelve soldiers were killed by fires and the others died in gun battles, the Hindustan Times reports, citing army sources.

Disputed Kashmir is claimed in its entirety by both India and Pakistan and has been a flashpoint for more than 60 years, causing two wars between the neighbours.

A militant attack on an army camp in Uri in December 2014 saw at least nine members of the security forces killed.

The last attack of this scale on the Indian army was in June 2015 in Manipur, north-east India, when at least 20 soldiers were killed in an attack on a troop convoy.

With the Indian Home Ministry already talking about a "cross-border terror attack", there is no doubt the raid will make the already fraught relations between India and Pakistan even frostier.

But the truth is this latest upsurge in violence has a distinctly home-grown flavour.

The huge wave of protests against Indian rule that were prompted by the killing of a popular young militant on 8 July have been overwhelmingly by people from Indian-controlled areas of Kashmir.

The attack is likely to mean normal life in the province will continue to be paralysed by the curfew imposed by the security forces for some time to come.

The Indian government says it wants to discuss how to end the violence with local leaders, but so far its overtures have been rejected by separatists who insist that the issue of Kashmiri independence must be on the table.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-37399969

[Anthea]

My question is the same as always:

Why does not the PKK unite with groups such as the Kashmir freedom fighters instead of loony left-wing groups?