Pro-independence protests intensify

India (AP):

The death toll from civil unrest in Indian-controlled Kashmir rose to 48 yesterday, after two more people were killed when paramilitary forces opened fire on demonstrators angry about decades of Indian rule over the Himalayan region.

Kashmir has been rocked by violent protests for nearly two months, with demonstrators hurling rocks at paramilitary soldiers and setting government buildings and vehicles ablaze. In response, security forces have fired live rounds and tear gas into large crowds.

civilians attacked

A 25-year-old man was killed and another critically wounded by gunfire in Srinagar late Wednesday, said Abdul Rashid, a local resident. The men were not involved in a protest at the time, but shouted at passing paramilitary soldiers who opened fire, said a police officer on condition of anonymity, as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

A 50-year-old man, Ghulam Nabi Badyari, was seriously wounded when he was hit by a stray bullet inside his home in downtown Srinagar, after soldiers fired at protesters who destroyed their post and threw rocks at them, said the officer. Badyari died in a hospital early yesterday.