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Indian soldiers fire at Kashmir protesters, 1 killed

Tue, September 27, 2016   /   02:10 am
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    A Kashmiri man ducks to cross an iron barricade with coils of razor wire near a military base at Braripora, near the de facto border dividing Kashmir between India and Pakistan, in Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016. Kashmir is witnessing the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years, sparked by the July 8 killing of a popular rebel commander by Indian soldiers. The protests, and a sweeping security crackdown, have all but paralyzed life in Indian-co...

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    Kashmiri Muslim protesters duck to avoid pellets and tear gas fired on them by government forces in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Friday, Sept. 23, 2016. Kashmir is witnessing the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years, sparked by the July 8 killing of a popular rebel commander by Indian soldiers. AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan

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    Indian policemen chase Kashmiri protesters in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Friday, Sept. 23, 2016. Kashmir is witnessing the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years, sparked by the July 8 killing of a popular rebel commander by Indian soldiers. AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan

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    In this Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 photo, an Indian policeman fires a tear gas shell on Kashmiri protesters in front of a graffiti on shutters that reads "Freedom our goal," in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir. Kashmir is witnessing the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years, sparked by the July 8 killing of a popular rebel commander by Indian soldiers. AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan

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    Kashmiri protesters shout pro freedom slogans during a protest in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016. Kashmir is witnessing the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years, sparked by the July 8 killing of a popular rebel commander by Indian soldiers. AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan

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    Kashmiri protesters shout pro freedom slogans during a protest in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016. Kashmir is witnessing the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years, sparked by the July 8 killing of a popular rebel commander by Indian soldiers. AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan

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    A Kashmiri protester holds placard as he shouts pro freedom slogans during a protest in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016. Kashmir is witnessing the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years, sparked by the July 8 killing of a popular rebel commander by Indian soldiers. AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan

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    A Kashmiri Muslim protester throws an exploded tear smoke shell on Indian police during a protest in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016. Kashmir is witnessing the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years, sparked by the July 8 killing of a popular rebel commander by Indian soldiers. AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan

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    A Kashmiri Muslim protester throws an exploded tear smoke shell on Indian police during a protest in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016. Kashmir is witnessing the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years, sparked by the July 8 killing of a popular rebel commander by Indian soldiers. AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan

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    Kashmiri women walk back to their homes after shopping during a relaxation from strike and curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016. Kashmir is witnessing the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years, sparked by the July 8 killing of a popular rebel commander by Indian soldiers. AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan

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    Kashmiri shop during a relaxation from strike and curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016. Kashmir is witnessing the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years, sparked by the July 8 killing of a popular rebel commander by Indian soldiers. AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan

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    Kashmiris shop during a relaxation from strike and curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016. Kashmir is witnessing the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years, sparked by the July 8 killing of a popular rebel commander by Indian soldiers. AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan

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    Kashmiris shop during a relaxation from strike and curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016. Kashmir is witnessing the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years, sparked by the July 8 killing of a popular rebel commander by Indian soldiers. The protests, and a sweeping security crackdown, have all but paralyzed life in Indian-controlled Kashmir. AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan

One person was killed and dozens of others wounded Friday when Indian government forces fired live ammunition and shotgun pellets to stop protests against Indian rule in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, police said.

A police officer said the man died in the northwestern Sopore area after soldiers fired at protesters who attacked an army convoy with stones.

The officer spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with department policy.

However, residents said the 22-year-old man was working in his orchard and soldiers fired at him from their vehicle.

The news of the death brought hundreds of villagers to the streets, where they chanted slogans such as "We want freedom" and clashed with government forces.

Clashes also erupted in at least three other places, and at least 30 people were reported injured.

Earlier, government forces blocked worshippers from offering Friday prayers at large mosques for the 11th consecutive week. However, prayers were allowed at small neighborhood mosques.

Kashmir is witnessing the largest protests against Indian rule in recent years, sparked by the July 8 killing of a popular rebel commander by Indian soldiers. The protests, and a sweeping security crackdown, have all but paralyzed life in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

More than 80 civilians have been killed and thousands injured, including hundreds blinded and maimed, mostly by government forces firing bullets and shotgun pellets at rock-throwing protesters. Two policemen have also been killed and hundreds of government forces have been injured in the clashes.

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan but claimed by both. Most people in the Indian-controlled portion favor independence or a merger with Pakistan.

A militant uprising and subsequent Indian military crackdown since 1989 have killed more than 68,000 people.


AP