Indian troops enforce lockdown to foil Kashmir public march

Kashmiri protesters clash with Indian paramilitary soldiers in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. A security clampdown and a strike sponsored by separatists fighting against Indian rule shut most of Indian-administered Kashmir on Sunday, a day after chaotic protests and fighting killed seven civilians and four combatants in the disputed region. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

SRINAGAR, India — Armed soldiers and police have fanned out across much of Indian-controlled Kashmir and are enforcing a security lockdown to foil a public march separatists have called from heading to India’s military headquarters in the disputed region.

Government forces Monday patrolled streets in the region’s main city of Srinagar and sealed off all the roads leading to the Indian army’s main garrison in the city.

Three Kashmiri leaders, known as Joint Resistance Leadership, or JRL, called for Kashmiris to march to the army cantonment in protest of the Saturday’s killings of seven civilians and three rebels during an Indian counterinsurgency operation.

The Indian army in a statement has appealed for people to not to heed the call.

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan but claimed by both in its entirety.

The Associated Press