August 28, 2008	Thursday	Sha'aban 25, 1429

SRINAGAR, Aug 27: Indian forces opened fire on Wednesday on Kashmiri protesters demanding the end to New Delhi’s occupation in Kashmir, killing two people, officials said.

“The security forces had to fire when protesters hurled stones and defied a curfew in Handwara,” a police spokesman said of the first death.

He said in the ensuing clashes five security personnel were injured.

Another man was killed in central Budgam district when protesters also targeted security forces with stones, police said.

Abdul Samad, a resident of Soibugh locality on the outskirts of Srinagar, said police and soldiers arrested one protester and fired on others, killing one and injuring half a dozen others.

HOSTAGE CRISIS: Meanwhile, militants believed to be holding seven hostages traded gunfire with police and soldiers, leaving at least four people dead.

The hostage crisis came as authorities in the valley lifted a three-day curfew for two hours, allowing residents to buy food and other supplies after days of protests.—Agencies