Militants have attacked an army base in Indian-administered Kashmir, killing at least 17 soldiers, the army says.
All four of the attackers were killed. Carrying guns and grenades they stormed a base in Uri, close to the Line of Control with Pakistan in a pre-dawn ambush.
Indian Home Affairs Minister Rajnath Singh reacted by calling Pakistan a “terrorist state”.
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.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack and Pakistan denied any role.
“This is an old tactic of India. They immediately put the blame on Pakista.
But Singh said on Twitter that “there are definite and conclusive indications that the perpetrators of Uri attack were highly trained, heavily armed and specially equipped”.
“I am deeply disappointed with Pakistan’s continued and direct support to terrorism and terrorist groups,” he said.
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson condemned the attack and said the UK “stands shoulder to shoulder with India in the fight against terrorism, and in bringing the perpetrators to justice”.
Both India and Pakistan claim all of Muslim-majority Kashmir but only control parts of it.
Indian army military operations head Lieutenant-General Ranbir Singh said there was evidence the attackers were members of an Islamist militant group in Pakistan.
The terrorists had some items which had Pakistani markings on,” he said.
The militants infiltrated across the Line of Control from Pakistan before attacking the base, west of Srinagar, an army officer told the BBC.
Gunfire and explosions were heard for several hours.
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