SRINAGAR ­ Ten . . . [suspected militants] died overnight in Kashmir, sparking off a strike Sunday (9^th March) to protest what . . . [Kashmiris have] described as state­sponsored terrorism in the Himalayan region.

The dominant rebel group, which suffered serious setbacks this week in clashes with Indian forces, accused troops of murdering Hizbul Mujahideen militants in cold blood.

Two Hizbul rebels were killed here Saturday [8th March], a day after Indian troops shot dead Saifullah, a "divisional commander" of the guerrilla group.

A general strike protesting against the alleged cold­blooded killing of four suspected militants by police crippled Kashmir for the second day Monday (10^th March) as three people were injured in military action, witnesses said.

Schools, colleges and shops were closed across this troubled Indian state and traffic stayed off the roads in response to the strike, called by the Hizbul Mujahideen . . .

Witnesses said three demonstrators were injured in Srinagar when Indian troops fired rubber bullets and tear gas shells to quell a small march in the downtown Maisuma residential area.

The Hizbul Mujahideen claims four of its senior leaders were killed last week after being tortured while in police custody.

The All Party [Freedom] Hurriyat Conference (APHC) . . . called a strike Sunday to protest the stepped­up military action against guerrilla organisations in Kashmir. The APHC said Indian troops were killing civilians in faked encounters and warned it would intensify its anti­Indian campaign to protest the alleged "custodial murders." - AFP