Indian troops kill two civilians in Kashmir

By Zahid Rafiq

SRINAGAR, Jammu Kashmir (AA) - At least two civilians were killed by Indian troops in Kashmir region on Friday, a health official said.

According to the health official, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to media, 22-year-old Muhammad Ashraf was killed and six others sustained injuries as Indian troops opened fire on a pro-independence demonstration in south Kashmir.

The demonstration was held in Arwani village near a place where there was already a gun battle going on between the Indian forces and militants.

According to locals, the protesters were trying to provide cover to the militants engaged in the gun battle and helping the militants escape.

Unconfirmed reports said that a commander of Lashkar e Taiba was killed in the gun battle.

Another civilian from Bandipora, Nazir Ahmad, who was wounded in Thursday’s firing in Srinagar, also succumbed to his injuries Friday.

Kashmir, a Muslim-majority Himalayan region, is held by India and Pakistan in parts and claimed by both in full. A small sliver of Kashmir is also held by China.

The two countries have fought three wars -- in 1948, 1965 and 1971 -- since they were partitioned in 1947, two of which were fought over Kashmir.

Kashmiri resistance groups in Jammu Kashmir have been fighting against Indian rule for independence, or for unification with neighboring Pakistan.

More than 70,000 people have reportedly been killed in the conflict since 1989. India maintains more than half a million troops in the disputed region.