Explosion kills seven civilians in Kashmir

Police said “leftover explosives” were responsible for a blast in Kashmir that killed at least seven civilians yesterday as they protested against government forces shooting dead three alleged militants.

Protesters had surged the site of a shoot-out in southern Kulgam town, chanting slogans and hurling rocks at troops as they fired at unidentified gunmen.

Three alleged militants were shot dead in the exchange but a subsequent explosion at the scene killed seven demonstrators, said inspector-general of police Swayam Prakash Pani.

“Protesters ignored warnings and soon overwhelmed the site, where five died after being hit when leftover explosives went off,” he said.