3 civilians killed in anti-India protests in Kashmir

At least three people have been killed in troubled Indian-controlled Kashmir, and at least 15 more injured on Tuesday as hundreds clashed with government troops during anti-India protests, ABC News quoted the police as saying.

A police official, speaking on customary condition of anonymity, said that government troops fired live ammunition and used pellet guns to control the stone throwing and slogan chanting crowds in Aripanthan village, west of the area's main city Srinagar.

Three of the injured are in critical condition, police said.

Locals and officials say government forces stopped hundreds of villagers from chanting slogans against Indian rule in Aripanthan village and clashes erupted as troops fired tear gas and shotgun pellets to quell the protests.

As the clashes intensified, troops fired live bullets at the protesters. 

Tuesday's killings take the death toll in the recent weeks of protests to 63, including two policemen. Thousands more have been injured.

Source: MENA