Thousands of Indian troops enforced a strict curfew in parts of Kashmir in a bid to stop three weeks of deadly protests that have claimed 11 lives.
Six people have been killed in the last four days alone during demonstrations against the killing of Kashmiris by Indian security forces, which began with the death of a schoolboy earlier this month.
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Each killing has sparked a new cycle of violence and State Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appealed yesterday for calm and for people to stay in their homes, adding that widespread curfews would allow tempers to cool.
Northern Sopore town was locked down for the fifth day running and neighbourhoods are also under curfew in Srinagar and other towns in the Kashmir valley.
Fatal shootings by security forces yesterday claimed the lives of three teenagers in southern Anantnag district, about 55km south of Srinagar, which is also under curfew.
Protests have been taking place since 11 June, when a 17-year-old student died after being hit by a tear-gas shell fired by police during a pro-independence demonstration in Srinagar.
Today, extra forces were deployed to protect the start of an annual Hindu pilgrimage to the icy Amarnath shrine in the foothills of Himalayas.
In the past, it has been the target of Islamic militant groups.
