Indian Kashmir shut down by strike as separatist groups protest killings of 2 men by soldiers

An Indian paramilitary soldier checks the identity of a civilian during curfew in Srinagar, India, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. Parts of the city were under curfew after Indian army soldiers killed two Kashmiris at a check-point in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district on Monday. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) (The Associated Press)

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A Kashmiri girl watch from window of her house as an Indian paramilitary soldier guards during a curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. Parts of the city were under curfew after Indian army soldiers killed two Kashmiris at a check-point in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district on Monday. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) (The Associated Press)

Indian paramilitary soldier interrogate civilians inside an autorickshaw at a temporary check point during curfew in Srinagar, India, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. Parts of the city were under curfew after Indian army soldiers killed two Kashmiris at a check-point in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district on Monday. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan) (The Associated Press)

NEW DELHI – Shops and businesses are closed in Indian-controlled Kashmir after separatists called a strike to protest the killings of two men by army soldiers two days ago.

Paramilitary soldiers in armored vehicles patrolled deserted streets Wednesday after a curfew was imposed in many parts of Srinagar, the main city in Kashmir.

An army spokesman said soldiers fired at a car carrying four young men after they failed to stop at two checkpoints in Srinagar late Monday. They were speeding through a third barrier when soldiers fired at them.

The checkpoints had been set up on several roads after the army received a tip about the movement of rebels in the area.

Separatist rebels have been fighting since 1989 for the region's independence from India or merger with Pakistan.