Image: Kashmir regional map Credit: w:user:Planemad/Wikimedia Commons
The Indian-ruled Kashmir was on edge on Sunday after security forces killed several men, which it said were militants.
The weekend killings in Shopian and Islamabad area saw anti-India protests swell in many parts.
According to Indian media reports, the gun battle resulted in killing of 13 militants in Dragad and Shopian areas.
“Seven militants, including some commanders, were killed in Shopian area while one militant was killed and another captured in Anantnag early on Sunday,” top Indian police officer in the region S.P. Vaid said, according to an AP report.
A report says two civilians, Jan Mohammad Lone and Zubair Ahmad Butt, died in a hospital from injuries.
Some reports gave names of the killed including a young man, identified as Rouf Bashir Khanday, who was killed in Islamabad district’s Dialgam area. A Pakistan Today report said other young martyrs include Ubair Shafi Malla, Adil Thokar, Yawar Itoo, Nazim Nazir, Adil Thokar, Rais Thokar, Ishafaq Malik and Zubair Turay.
Over 100 civilians were injured when Indian forces used brute force and fired pellets and bullets on protesters in Dragad and Kachdora areas, the report said.
“We are unable to maintain the record of the injured because of the heavy rush,” District hospital Shopian’s Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Shafat said.
Several people have been shifted to Srinagar amid reports that the Indian forces used pellets to quell protests.
Kashmiri groups opposing Indian rule in the disputed territory including Joint Resistance Leadership have called for a shutdown for two days across the region.
Some Kashmiri leaders are said to be part of the Kashmir University demonstrations which demanded an end to Indian occupation of the UN-recognized disputed territory and freedom for the region.
Pakistan and India control parts of Jammu and Kashmir territory and both claim it to belong to them in entirety. The two countries already have tense relations for years with no peace dialogue to ratchet down the tensions.
New Delhi alleges Pakistani backing for militants seeking freedom from India. Pakistan calls it an Indian ploy to divert world attention from its brutal repression.
