Civilians Injured in New Anti-India Demonstrations in Kashmir
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - 10 civilians were injured in new round of clashes between Indian forces and protesters in disputed Kashmir region on Sunday after five people were killed by government forces.
The clashes began after Indian government forces killed five anti-government protesters in a village in the Himalayan region’s southern Kulgam area according to Indian sources.
The fighting sparked protests as hundreds of residents tried to march to the site of the clashes in solidarity with deceased people, while chanting anti-government slogans and demanding end of an Indian rule over the region.
The government forces fired shotgun pellets and tear gas at the protesters, who threw stones and snowballs at them. At least 10 civilians were injured and were taken to hospitals, medics and local residents said, according to Arab News.
India and Pakistan each claim the divided territory of Kashmir in its entirety. Fighting and civilian street protests in Indian control Kashmir are common since 1989.
Most Kashmiri Muslims believe that the territory must be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.
Nearly 70,000 people have been killed in the uprising and the ensuing Indian crackdown.
