Killing of rebel leader in Kashmir leads to deadly clashes

SRINAGAR, India — Indian troops fired on protesters in Kashmir on Saturday, killing at least seven as tens of thousands of people defied a curfew and participated in the funeral for a top rebel commander a day after he was killed by Indian forces in the disputed Himalayan region, officials said.

Burhan Wani, chief of operations of Hizbul Mujahideen, Indian-controlled Kashmir’s largest rebel group, was killed in fighting Friday after Indian troops, acting on a tip, cordoned off a village in southern Kashmir’s Kokernag area, said Police Director-General K. Rajendra.

Local police intelligence chief Shiv Sahai said seven men were killed in “retaliatory action” by government troops.

On India’s side, separatist politicians and rebels reject Indian rule over the region and have been fighting for independence or merger with Pakistan since 1989.

Earlier in the day, thousands of armed police and paramilitary soldiers in riot gear fanned out across most towns and villages in the region and drove through neighborhoods, warning residents to stay indoors.