Two shot dead during Held Kashmir protests

SRINAGAR (Agencies) - Indian security forces opened fire Wednesday on Muslim protesters demanding the end of New Delhi’s rule in Occupied Kashmir, killing two people, officials said.

“The security forces had to fire when protesters hurled stones and defied a curfew in Handwara,” a police spokesman said of the first death.

He said in the ensuing clashes five security personnel were injured.

Another Muslim man was killed in central Budgam district when protesters also targeted security forces with stones, police said.

Meanwhile, suspected freedom fighters took seven people hostage after going on a killing spree Wednesday in Srinagar, army officials claimed.