SRINAGAR: Six people were killed in mounting violence ahead of local elections in India-held Kashmir as authorities imposed a curfew and suspended mobile internet services across the disputed territory on Thursday.

There were at least four separate shootings in the region, where a movement against Indian rule has raged for three decades, claiming tens of thousands of lives.

An Indian army spokesman, Colonel Rajesh Kalia, said three Kashmiris and one soldier died in separate incidents in Budgam district and Anantnag district.

Elsewhere, a road-construction labourer was shot and killed by soldiers, said a police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity and could not provide further details.

In Srinagar, government forces shot dead a man during an early morning patrol, sparking public unrest.

Thousands defied the government curfew to attend his funeral, chanting slogans against Indian occupation in the mountainous area where half a million soldiers are deployed.

Tensions have been rising ahead of local elections in October and November.

New Delhi has deployed an additional 40,000 troops to the disputed region to maintain order.

Both pro-Indian parties and freedom groups fighting for self-determination have called for a boycott of the upcoming polls.

The region has been under direct control of New Delhi since the local government collapsed there in June.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2018