Terrorists kill three in Kashmir

Islamic terrorists killed a teacher and his two sons today in the latest attack on civilians in Indian-controlled Kashmir, provoking angry protests by hundreds of terrified villagers.

Shortly before dawn, three men with automatic weapons hidden inside their gowns barged into a house in Gopalpora, seven miles from Srinagar, and opened fire, said local Superintendent of Police Mukesh Kumar.

School teacher Mohammad Shafi Wani and his elder son Noor Mohammad died immediately. Jehangir Wani, the younger son, was taken to a hospital but died of bullet wounds hours later. All three were Muslims.

The motive for the killings was not immediately known. Police blamed separatist rebels fighting for Kashmir’s independence from India or its merger with Pakistan.

“We heard gunfire. But there was no electricity and we were scared to come out. We do not know who the men were,” said Khurshid Ahmed, the teacher’s neighbour.

Hundreds of angry villagers marched alongside the three coffins in a funeral procession to the local cemetery.

Youths burned tires and smashed car windows. Women wailed and shouted religious slogans.

Civilians have been targeted in a series of grisly attacks by rebels this month, including the beheading of three women and the shooting death of a ruling party MP as he emerged from a mosque after prayers.

In the past, rebels have killed civilians on suspicion of being informers to Indian security forces.

Human rights activists say hundreds of people have also disappeared after being taken for questioning by the army and police.