Indian troops in their fresh act of state terrorism, martyred four more Kashmiri youth in Shopian district, Monday raising the toll to nine in the past twenty-four hours.
The youth were killed by the troops during a cordon and search operation in Pinjoora area of the district. Five youth were martyred by the troops in the same area yesterday.
Earlier, three Indian troops were critically injured in a clash in the same area of the district.
The authorities have also suspended all mobile internet services in the district while the operation was going on till the reports last came in.
Meanwhile, Indian troops continued their cordon and search operations in Srinagar, Baramulla, Bandipore, Kupwara, Ganderbal, Budgam, Islamabad, Pulwama, Kulgam, Ramban, Rajouri, Poonch, Kisthwar, Doda and other several towns and villages of the territory.
Hundreds of villagers rallied in support of the freedom fighters, throwing stones and shouting slogans against Indian rule as the firefight raged, a police officer and locals said.
The two incidents came a week after New Delhi expelled two Pakistan embassy officials over allegations of spying. Tensions remain high in Kashmir after New Delhi in August revoked its semi-autonomous status and imposed a lengthy curfew. Pakistan criticised the move and there has been a frequent exchange of fire across the heavily militarised border between the nuclear-armed rivals.
Since 1989, rebels groups have fought against some 500,000 Indian soldiers deployed in the territory, demanding independence or Kashmir's merger with Pakistan.