Kashmir voting marked by violence

The start of voting for a new state assembly in Indian-administered Kashmir has been marked by a series of violent incidents.

Reports say that Indian security forces killed 17 militants who tried to cross into Kashmir from Pakistan to disrupt the elections.

The killings took place in two areas close to the Line of Control that divides the disputed region between India and Pakistan.

Two people were wounded when suspected Muslim militants set off a bomb at a polling station in the north west of the state. Earlier, a policeman was killed when suspected rebels fired on a polling station in the south.

Today was the first of four days of voting for a new state assembly at the end of a campaign dominated by violence.

More than 440 people, including two of the candidates, were killed.

Despite threats against voters by separatist militants, officials say today's turnout was good.

India wants the election to be an endorsement of its rule, while Muslim separatists are suspected of trying to disrupt it.

An election official said today that nearly 25% of voters had cast their ballots. Pramod Jain, Kashmir's chief electoral officer, said that this was "encouraging".

Kashmir's police chief, Ashok Suri, said he was confident the elections would be free and fair.

Traditionally, turnout for voting for the state legislature is low due to the threat of violence and the fact that many separatist groups snub the polls.