Asia

Indian army says 4 suspected rebels killed in Kashmir

Associated Press
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Kashmiri protesters throw stones on Indian security men outside a poling station during a by-election to an Indian Parliament seat in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, April. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) (The Associated Press)

An elderly Kashmiri woman is assisted by her relative as she arrives to cast her vote for a bye election to a Parliamentary seat on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, April. 9, 2017. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) (The Associated Press)

A Kashmiri woman shouts pro freedom slogans during the funeral of Umer Farooq, a Kashmiri civilian who was killed Sunday at Baroosa village 34 Kilometers (21 miles) northeast of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, April 10, 2017. Government forces opened fire on Sunday on crowds of people who attacked polling stations during a by-election for a vacant seat in India's Parliament, killing eight people. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) (The Associated Press)

The Indian army says four suspected rebels have been killed in disputed Kashmir as businesses and schools shut in the region in response to a separatists' call to protest the killing of eight civilians by government forces during a weekend by-election.

Army spokesman Col. Rajesh Kalia says a gunbattle erupted Sunday night after the four militants crossed from Pakistani territory into the Indian-held portion of Kashmir in Keran sector. There was no independent confirmation of the incident.

Meanwhile, a strike called by separatists paralyzed life in the Kashmir Valley on Monday.

Government forces opened fire on Sunday on crowds of people who attacked polling stations during a by-election for a vacant seat in India's Parliament, killing eight people.

Most people in Indian-controlled Kashmir favor independence or a merger with Pakistan.