Indian troops kills 3 rebels, protester in disputed Kashmir

As news of the killings spread, thousands of people assembled in Kakpora for funeral prayers for the slain militants. Thousands more took to the streets in neighbouring Awantipora town, where protesters blocked a key highway connecting the Kashmir Valley with India while chanting “Go India, go back” and “We want freedom.”

Government forces fired bullets, shotgun pellets and tear gas at rock-throwing protesters, killing a man and injuring about 65 others, according to witnesses and a police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with department policy.

The officer said the slain man was a regular anti-India protester and “habitual stone-thrower” and had many cases registered against him with police. Local residents said the man was targeted by the government forces.

On Wednesday, Indian troops killed two Kashmiri rebels in a gunbattle in northern Sopore area.

In recent years, Kashmiris, mainly youths, have displayed open solidarity with anti-India rebels and sought to protect them by engaging troops in street clashes during military operations against the militants. The anti-India protests and clashes have persisted despite the Indian army chief warning recently that “tough action” would be taken against stone throwers during counterinsurgency operations.

Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the Himalayan territory in its entirety. Rebel groups have been fighting since 1989 for Kashmir’s independence or merger with neighbouring Pakistan. Nearly 70,000 people have been killed in the fighting and the ensuing Indian crackdown.

Anti-India sentiment runs deep among the region’s mostly Muslim population and most people support the rebels’ cause against Indian rule.

India has accused Pakistan of arming and training the rebels, which Pakistan denies.

Rebel groups have largely been suppressed by Indian forces in recent years and public opposition to Indian rule is now principally expressed through street protests.

Aijaz Hussain, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Indian troops kills 3 rebels, protester in disputed Kashmir

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