SRINAGAR: A 42-hour gun battle ended in India-held Kashmir on Friday after two suspected militants were killed in the fighting, which triggered massive anti-India protests in the disputed Himalayan region.

A police officer said soldiers recovered the bodies of the two suspected militants from the debris of a destroyed house in southern Arwani village.

The officer said both of the bodies were charred beyond recognition and authorities were conducting DNA tests to ascertain their identities.

He said three weapons were recovered from the site.

Villagers said the house was razed to the ground as soldiers blew it up with explosives.

Police and soldiers had cordoned off Arwani on Tuesday evening, triggering a gun battle with trapped militants in the village.

On Thursday, a young man was killed and dozens of others were injured when government forces fired bullets, shotgun pellets and tear gas to disperse rock-throwing protesters who allegedly tried to help the trapped militants escape.

Police said the man died after being hit by a stray bullet.

Massive protests against Indian rule again erupted in Arwani and neighbouring villages on Friday as thousands of Kashmiris chanted pro-militant and pro-freedom slogans.

Mobile and internet services in some areas of southern Kashmir remained suspended for a second day as authorities sought to stop activists from mobilising anti-India protesters.

Kashmir is experiencing its largest protests against Indian rule in recent years.

At least 100 civilians and two policemen have been killed and thousands injured in the protests. Hundreds of the injured have been blinded and maimed, mostly by government forces firing bullets and shotgun pellets at rock-throwing protesters.

Curfews, communication blackouts, crackdowns and strikes have largely paralysed daily life.

Kashmiri militant groups have been fighting for either independence or a merger with Pakistan. More than 68,000 people have been killed in the uprising and ensuing Indian military crackdown.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2016