Indian troops fire at Kashmir protesters; teenager killed

Kashmiri protesters throw stones and bricks at Indian policemen during a protest in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Friday, April 17, 2015. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets Friday to disperse hundreds of demonstrators in Indian-controlled Kashmir who hurled rocks and chanted anti-Indian and pro-Pakistan slogans to protest the killing of a militant commander's brother. The Indian army said the man was killed in a gunbattle along with a militant on Monday, while his relatives and local residents said he was tortured to death. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin) Kashmiri protesters throw stones and bricks at Indian policemen during a protest in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Friday, April 17, 2015. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets Friday to disperse hundreds of demonstrators in Indian-controlled Kashmir who hurled rocks and chanted anti-Indian and pro-Pakistan slogans to protest the killing of a militant commander's brother. The Indian army said the man was killed in a gunbattle along with a militant on Monday, while his relatives and local residents said he was tortured to death. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

By Associated Press April 18, 2015 1 min read

SRINAGAR, India (AP) – Police say a teenage student was killed when Indian government forces fired on protesters on the second day of violent clashes in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.

The protesters had gathered Saturday morning as shops, businesses and public transportation shut down for a strike called by separatists challenging India’s sovereignty in Kashmir.

Police inspector general Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani says troops fired on the rock-hurling demonstrators in the western village of Narbal.

News of the boy’s killing has drawn hundreds of angry villagers to join the protests. Troops are trying to disperse the growing crowd with tear gas.

Separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani called the strike a day after Indian authorities arrested another separatist leader. The arrest sparked violent protests that left 20 police personnel and five protesters injured.