Nine die as fighting rages across Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Apr 01 (AFP): Indian forces have killed eight suspected militants in disputed Kashmir, police said Sunday, in some of the fiercest fighting this year in the restive Himalayan region.

A civilian was also killed and four soldiers injured in the region divided between India and Pakistan but claimed in full by both.

Seven militants were killed in a protracted overnight shootout with Indian forces in Dragad south of the capital Srinagar, where helicopters were seen swooping low over the battle zone.

One civilian died and at least fifty were injured as police fired tear gas and pellet guns to disperse stone-throwing protesters.

Another man, described by Indian authorities as a militant, was gunned down in a brief exchange of fire in a separate district.