SRINAGAR, July 2: At least 22 people, including seven policemen and three children, were killed in fresh violence in occupied Kashmir where unrest has continued despite peace moves by India and Pakistan, police said on Friday.

The violence comes as top level talks between India and Pakistan over the disputed region have gained momentum. Their foreign ministers met at an Asian security conference in Indonesia on Friday and vowed to hold more talks soon.

Six policemen were killed when their vehicle, which was escorting a member of parliament from the ruling Congress party, ran over a landmine south of Srinagar. A police spokesman said the politician, Lal Singh, escaped unhurt.

None of the dozen or so Muslim militant groups fighting Indian rule in its part of the Himalayan region since 1989 claimed responsibility.

Two children were killed in an explosion in central Srinagar later on Friday, police said. Elsewhere 14 people, including a child, eight militants and a policeman, were killed in separate shootouts. -Reuters