2 Americans, 2 Britons Held by Kashmiris
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SRINAGAR, India — American and British diplomats sought the help of pro-separatist groups Friday to free two Americans and two Britons taken hostage by Muslim militants in the mountains of northern India.
The Kashmiri rebels, who have demanded the release of 21 jailed guerrillas, sent a message saying that the hostages have not been harmed. But they did not discuss their possible release, government officials said.
About 2,250 Indian soldiers and commandos searched the remote area of Kashmir where the men were kidnaped Tuesday.
The Americans have been identified as John Childs of Simsbury, Conn., and Donald Hutchings of Spokane, Wash. British officials identified the other hostages as Paul Wells of London and Keith Mangan of Middlesbrough.
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