Jammu:
Six people have been shot dead and nearly 20 are reported injured in Kashmir in clashes with officers of the Border Security Force (BSF) this morning.
Massive protests are being held on the 300-kilometre highway between Srinagar and Jammu, reports Press Trust of India, which says the highway has been closed. PTI also says that curfew has been imposed in Ramban district.
Mobile internet services have been suspended in Kashmir; authorities say it was done in order to prevent rumour-mongering on social networking sites.
The violence this morning erupted in Gool town of Ramban district, around 145 kilometres from Srinagar at a BSF station where a group of people had gathered to protest.
Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde has ordered an inquiry into the firing by the BSF and warned "any use of excessive force or irresponsible action will be dealt with strictly."
"Two dozen people have been injured in the clashes between the security forces and the protesters. Doctors at the hospital said that five of the injured had bullet injuries," a senior police officer told new agency IANS.
The injured also include some BSF personnel, he said.
A violent mob also tried to set afire the district magistrate's office in the district headquarters town of Ramban. Police were trying to bring the situation under control.
Clashes also erupted in Srinagar after people protested against the killings. Separatist groups have called for a three-day strike against the deaths from tomorrow.