Gunfight in India-administered Kashmir leaves six rebels and an Indian soldier dead, sparking massive protests by residents seeking end to Indian rule over disputed region. A teenage Kashmiri boy was shot dead by troops during protests.
Six rebels and an army soldier were killed in a gun battle in India-administered Kashmir on Sunday, officials said, sparking violent protests by residents seeking an end to Indian rule over the disputed region and leaving a teenage boy dead and 20 people wounded.
Indian army spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said Indian troops surrounded a village in Shopian area early Sunday, leading to an exchange of gunfire in which six rebels were killed. An army soldier was killed and another wounded in the fighting, he said.
The incident triggered anti-India protests and clashes as hundreds of people marched near the site of the gun battle in solidarity with rebels as the fighting raged in the area.
A teenage boy was killed and 20 people were wounded when troops fired bullets, shotgun pellets and tear gas to confront the stone-throwing protesters, police and residents said.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq✔@MirwaizKashmir
As 17 Kashmiri’s are killed in last 3days,Mayhem let loose by forces in Batgund Shopian!bullets fired,civilians killed,while dozens grievously injured as pellets rain on them!Even 20 month old Baby Hiba Nisar hit by pellets in her eyes!Urgent appeal for help to stop this genocide
Bloodiest weeks
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a popular pro-independence leader, called for “urgent appeal for help to stop this genocide”, in a tweet.
“We make a fervent appeal to international community to help stop the massacre of Kashmiris unleashed by Indian forces,” he wrote.
The killings capped one of the bloodiest weeks in the region this year, during which 16 rebels and two Indian soldiers were among 23 people killed.
So far this year, 411 people have been killed in Kashmir. More than half were guerrillas fighting Indian rule. It is the highest toll since 2008 when 505 people died.
JKCCS@jkccs_In 2018, from January 1 to November 24 at least 520 people have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir, which include 144 civilians, 234 militants and 142 members of armed forces and police. #Kashmir #KillingFigures
71 years of dispute
Kashmir is divided between rivals India and Pakistan since 1947 when the British vacated the sub continent, and both claim the territory in its entirety.
Most Kashmiris support rebel demands that the territory be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country in a UN-agreed plebiscite, while also participating in civilian street protests against Indian control.
In recent years, mainly young Kashmiris have displayed open solidarity with the rebels and sought to protect them by engaging troops in street clashes during military operations.
Rebels have been fighting Indian control since 1989. India accuses Pakistan of arming and training the rebels, a charge Pakistan denies.
Islamabad says it only gives political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris.
India has some 500,000 troops deployed in the tiny Himalayan region.
Nearly 100,000 people have been killed in the uprising and the ensuing Indian military crackdown.
Read more: Why Indian forces are setting houses on fire in disputed Kashmir
Read more: SPOs: The dark underbelly of India’s security system in Kashmir
