Anti-India Protests Turn Vicious in KashmirTop Stories

June 22, 2018 09:22
Anti-India Protests Turn Vicious in Kashmir

(Image source from: VOA News)

The anti-India protests in Kashmir on Friday has killed at least four rebels, a counterinsurgency police official and a civilian during a gun battle, whereas several people were injured.

Government officials forayed a cluster of homes on a clue that rebels were hiding in the Southern Srigufwara area they came under fire from militants, a police official stated.

According to Indian army spokesman Col. Rajesh Kalia, four militants and a police officer with the counterinsurgency force were killed in the fighting.

In first exchange of gunfire civilian and his wife were injured, as soldiers cornered the rebels in couple's house. Residents said the injured couple was not given time by government forces to leave their home. They were evacuated to a hospital where the husband was announced dead on arrival.

Police said at least two soldiers were also wounded in the fighting.

Protests and clashes broke out as the fighting raged, near the site of the gunbattle and in other neighborhoods as residents tried to aid the cornered militants to escape. Pellets and tear gas was fired by government forces at the stone-throwing protesters, injuring at least 20.

Authorities suspended mobile phone internet service in several districts in the region, a common practice to make organizing protests more difficult and according to the government, stop hearsay mongering.

India and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir, which is divided between the neighbors but claimed by both in totality. Since 1989, rebel groups have been combat-ready against Indian rule and about 70,000 people have been killed in the armed rebellion and a subsequent Indian military crackdown. Rebels demand that Kashmir is united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.

India accuses Pakistan of arming and training the rebels, a charge Pakistan denies.

By Sowmya Sangam

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Tagged Under :
India  Anti-India  Kashmir  Protests  Rebels