One protester, two militants killed in Kashmir violence

SRINAGAR, India: Government forces shot dead one protester and injured more than 120 others in Indian-administered Kashmir, just days after three civilians were killed in similar demonstrations in the restive region.

Indian troops used live bullets and pellet guns on hundreds of protesters in Shopian district, south of the major city of Srinagar, hospitalising dozens with serious injuries.

Police said the crowd gathered near the site of a military operation where Indian soldiers had killed two suspected militants, and began throwing stones.

Many civilians in Kashmir support rebels who have been fighting for decades for independence or for a merger with Pakistan, which like India also claims the divided territory in full.

Doctors said more than 120 protesters were brought to three district hospitals, some suffering serious bullet wounds and eye injuries from pellet fire from the melee.

“Six among them had bullet injuries and were referred to Srinagar for advanced treatment,” district chief medical officer Abdul Raheed told AFP.

Doctors said an 18-year-old man was shot in the head and later died from his injuries.

“One of the injured persons later succumbed to his injuries,” police said.

It follows a weekend of bloodshed in Kashmir in which Indian forces killed three civilians, including a 16-yearold girl, ahead of the anniversary of the death of a popular rebel leader.

Last month, the UN human rights chief released a report calling for an investigation into alleged abuses perpetrated by Indian security forces in Kashmir.

India – which has about 500,000 soldiers in the part of Kashmir it controls – rejected the findings. — AFP