SRINAGAR – Indian forces killed two suspected separatists and a civilian in occupied Kashmir, police said on Friday, paving way for another spree of protests in the restive region.
The trio was killed when soldiers and police surrounded a house around 45 kilometers (30 miles) south of the main city of Srinagar on Thursday after claiming that they received a tip-off regarding some militants there.
A police statement said a “stray bullet” had killed one civilian whose death sparked angry protests in the area.
Hundreds of villagers had marched towards the village where the shoot-out occurred, chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans while hurling stones at the government forces.
‘At least 45 protesters were injured as police and paramilitaries fired tear gas shells and pellet guns to disperse estranged mob’ confirmed a senior police officer said on condition of anonymity.
Widespread protests against Indian rule erupted in July after soldiers killed a popular separatist leader Burhan Wani. More than 90 civilians were killed and thousands were injured in clashes with Indian forces amid curfew.
Despite international push, Indian authorities have failed to bring peace in the valley.
