Suicide attack in Kashmir's Uri Army Camp

URI: 10 members of the security forces have been killed this morning in a suicide attack on an army artillery camp in Kashmir's Uri sector as militants step up violence in a state that is in the midst of elections.

Uri, near the Line of Control, is around 100 kilometres (60 miles) northwest of Srinagar, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to campaign on Monday. Three policemen, seven soldiers and three militants are reported dead.

On Tuesday, the third phase of staggered voting will be held in Uri and neighbouring areas.

Abdul Ghani Mir, a state police officer, said five police and soldiers were killed in this morning's terror strike. Three attackers were also killed, he said, but it was not yet known if more were involved.

Separatists have called for a boycott of the election and militants have stepped up attacks after a lull of months, but voters have turned out in record numbers on the two days of voting held so far, braving freezing temperatures and long lines. Results will be counted on December 23.

Led by an expansive campaign by the Prime Minister, the BJP is making its most serious bid yet to win power for the first time in the state, banking on votes in the Hindu-majority Jammu and Buddhist Ladakh areas. It is also capitalising on the rise of independents and splits elsewhere in Muslim-majority Kashmir.