SRINAGAR, India: Government forces killed two rebels during a gunbattle in the outskirts of disputed Kashmir’s main city on Wednesday, sparking violent anti-India protests by residents, police said.
Indian troops laid a siege around a neighborhood in Srinagar on a tip that militants were hiding there, police said. The searches by troops triggered an exchange of gunfire resulting in the deaths of two militants and injuries to four soldiers and two counterinsurgency policemen.
Residents said Indian troops burned a civilian home where the rebels were holed up during the fighting.
The fighting sparked protests and clashes as residents tried to march to the site of the battle in solidarity with militants. Chanting slogans in favor of militants and demanding an end of Indian rule over Kashmir, the demonstrators threw stones at police and paramilitary soldiers, who fired warning shots, shotgun pellets and tear gas. At least half a dozen people were injured.
The region witnessed massive anger, anti-India protests and shutdowns amid a security lockdown following Sunday’s killing of seven civilians in an explosion after three rebels died in a gunfight with security forces.
The latest violence came after two rebels, a civilian and a counterinsurgency police official were killed last week.
India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim it in its entirety. Most Kashmiris support rebel demands that the territory be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.
Rebels have been fighting Indian control since 1989. India accuses Pakistan of arming and training the rebels, a charge Pakistan denies.
Nearly 70,000 people have been killed in the uprising and the ensuing Indian military crackdown.
Anti-India protests in Kashmir after troops kill 2 rebels
Anti-India protests in Kashmir after troops kill 2 rebels
- The region witnessed massive anger, anti-India protests and shutdowns amid a security lockdown
- India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim it in its entirety
