Hundreds of protesters clashed with police in Indian occupied Kashmir yesterday after government forces killed a suspected rebel in an encounter, according to police sources.
Three soldiers were also wounded in the battle, which began on Tuesday when government forces cordoned off the village of Heff, around 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the main city of Srinagar, where they suspected rebels were hiding out.
News of the man s death brought hundreds of protesters onto the streets where they hurled rocks at police, who fired tear gas and live bullets into the air to disperse them.
“At least 15 people were injured in the clashes, including nine policemen and a district administrator,” a police officer said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to media.
Another police officer said the dead man was a member of the pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen, one of several rebel groups seeking independence for Indian-administered Kashmir or a merger with Pakistan.
Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the two countries won independence from Britain in 1947. Both claim the scenic Himalayan territory in full.
