SRINAGAR, Sept 18: Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire along the Line of Control on Wednesday, while 17 people were killed in violence linked to ongoing elections in occupied Kashmir, police said.

Police alleged that Pakistani troops had opened “unprovoked fire” at Indian forward positions in the Keran sector of the Kupwara district. The Pakistani troops fired small arms and artillery, which was returned by the Indian troops, police alleged.

Meanwhile, a police spokesman said the militants shot Ali Mohammad Dar, an activist for held Kashmir’s ruling National Conference party, in Srinagar. He was taken to hospital, where he died.

Another activist of the ruling party, Ghulam Rasool Mir, was shot dead by suspected militants in downtown Srinagar.

Kashmiri parties seeking freedom are boycotting the polls, the first phase of which was held on Monday. Srinagar, with Jammu, Budgam and Kathua districts, goes to polls in the second phase on Tuesday.

Besides, two civilians were killed when they strayed into crossfire between Indian forces and militants in Baramulla, police said. One freedom fighter also died in a clash in the Kohlinar village.

In the Pulwama district, a soldier of India’s paramilitary force died overnight in a grenade explosion, police said.

In the Rajouri district, three militants and an Indian army soldier were killed in two encounters overnight and on Wednesday, police said. Three other soldiers were injured.

Three more militants were killed in two encounters in Pulwama and Kupwara districts.

Police said Kashmiri activists killed four people in Anantnag, Poonch and Doda.—AFP