Himachal assembly pays tributes to soldiers killed in Kashmir

The Himachal Pradesh assembly Saturday paid tribute to soldiers and others killed in a string of brazen militant strikes in Jammu and Kashmir.

Revenue Minister Kaul Singh, who moved a resolution in the absence of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, said the attacks were "desperate attempts". The house unanimousl adopted the resolution.

"We would request the central government to talk to Pakistan to stop ceasefire violations and stop sending militants across the border," he said.

Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Prem Kumar Dhumal said the attacks were an attempt to stall the democratic process in Jammu and Kashmir.

"It's a case of intrusion. Since the start of democratic process (in Jammu and Kashmir) and the people are participating...they are giving the reply to bullet with a ballot," he said.

"Pakistan can't fight a direct battle with us and fighting an indirect battle with us. We will fight against the menace of terrorism," the two-time former chief minister said.

He said one of the dead army men was from Himachal's Chamba district.

A one-minute silence was also observed as a mark of respect to the departed souls.

The state is in the midst of the five-phase assembly elections, with the next phase scheduled for Dec 9. The polls began Nov 25 and will end Dec 20, with the vote count to be held Dec 23.

Eight army men, including a senior officer, and three policemen were killed Friday battling a group of heavily armed militants, who mounted an audacious attack on an army camp in Baramulla district.