12 injured in clashes in Indian-controlled Kashmir

At least 12 people including five policemen and three journalists were wounded in violent clashes that broke out between hundreds of villagers and Indian police on Tuesday, a day after the killing of seven unidentified militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said. "Violent clashes broke out here today after protesters threw stones at policemen," said a police officer by telephone from Kupwara. "Around 12 people including five policemen and three journalists were injured in clashes." Police fired warning shots and tear smoke shells to disperse the irate protesters who tried to attack the police station, officials said. "We are showing restraint in handling the protesters," said the police officer. "The situation is under control." Locals at the Lalpora-Lolab area of frontier Kupwara district said the villagers were demanding identity of the slain militants, who according to the Indian army were killed in gunfight on Monday. The bodies were later on handed over to the locals for burial, and the police so far has not disclosed the identify of the slain men. It was reported that hundreds of villagers participated in the funeral of the unidentified men. The people were shouting anti- India and pro-freedom slogans. A guerrilla war has been going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. The gunfight between the two sides takes place intermittently across the region.