Updated

Police say two people have died and at least 25 others have been injured as government forces fired tear gas and clashed with protesters demanding freedom from Indian control in Kashmir.

A police officer said a young man was killed Saturday when police and paramilitary soldiers tried to stop protesters from marching to a village in Shopian district.

In another incident, a 25-year-old man died from pellet injuries in Anantnag district following clashes between police and protesters.

A prolonged curfew, communication blackouts and a tightening crackdown have failed to stop some of the largest protests in Kashmir against Indian rule in recent years, triggered by a rebel commander's killing in July.