Clashes erupt in IOK after Indian forces martyr three separatists

Tensions have spiked across IOK since Indian forces killed popular separatist commander, Abu Dujana earlier this week

SRINAGAR: Thousands of protesters clashed with security forces in Indian-occupied Kashmir on Saturday after three freedom fighters were killed in a firefight with troops, with tensions already high following the death of a popular freedom movement commander this week.

Soldiers and police special counterinsurgency forces surrounded a neighbourhood in Sopore town, 45 kilometers (28 miles) northwest of the main city of Srinagar, after "specific information" that separatists were hiding in a house there, triggering a firefight.



As news of the deaths spread, clashes between local residents and government forces broke out in many areas.

Three protesters were injured in the northern Bandipore area, home to one of the slain freedom fighters when soldiers fired bullets as hundreds of angry local residents came out on the streets to pelt their convoy with stones, a police officer said speaking on condition of anonymity.



Tensions have spiked across the Indian-controlled territory since government forces killed a popular separatist commander, Abu Dujana, in a fierce gunbattle Tuesday.

In southern IOK valley thousands of protesters clashed with Indian forces who fired bullets in the air and used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse a crowd, which was chanting: "We want freedom".