Strike shuts Kashmir after Indian soldiers kill 2 civilians
SRINAGAR, India — Shops and businesses closed Sunday in Indian-controlled Kashmir after separatists fighting against Indian rule called for a strike a day after soldiers shot and killed two young men in the disputed region.
Armed police and paramilitary soldiers in riot gear fanned out across the region and patrolled streets in anticipation of anti-India protests and clashes. Authorities also issued a curfew in the old parts of Kashmir’s main city of Srinagar, the urban centre of protests and clashes against Indian rule.
Two students were killed and nine other people were wounded Saturday after soldiers in southern Shopian area opened fire at stone-throwing protesters. The Indian army said soldiers fired in “self-defence” as crowd tried to “lynch” an officer and damaged at least four vehicles.
India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. Rebels have been fighting against Indian rule since 1989 and demand that Kashmir be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country, a view that is widespread even among civilians in the region.