News / India

Indian forces kill two pro-independence protesters in Kashmir

Friday, 05 August 2016 5:44 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 05 August 2016 5:46 PM ]

Pro-independence protesters throw stones at Indian police during a protest in the city of Srinagar in the Indian-controlled Kashmir, August 5, 2016. (AFP)

Indian forces have killed two pro-independence protesters and injured more than 100 others in the Indian-controlled Kashmir.

On Friday, New Delhi extended a curfew in several parts of the disputed Himalayan region for the 28th day in an attempt to prevent more pro-independence protests.

Protesters, however, defied the curfew and staged demonstrations where government forces fired bullets, tear gas canisters and pellets from shotguns to disperse them.

"Forces fired to disperse large crowds at two places in Budgam district in which two persons died," said a senior police officer, whose name was not mentioned in the report. "Over 100 protesters (and) some policemen were injured in the day-long clashes."

Large parts of the Indian-controlled Kashmir have been under a 24-hour curfew in recent weeks.

On July 8, Indian troops killed a pro-independence leader in Kashmir. Several deadly protests have been held in the region ever since. Over 50 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 injured in the protests so far.

Kashmir lies at the heart of more than 69 years of hostility between India and Pakistan. Both neighbors claim the region in full but have partial control over it. India controls two thirds of Kashmir while the remaining one third is under the Pakistani rule.

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