Police shoot dead four protesters in Kashmir

Four people were killed after thousands of protesters ignored police warnings they would be shot on sight if they defied a round-the-clock curfew declared in Indian-controlled Kashmir, in an attempt to quell weeks of deadly civil unrest against Indian rule.

More than 20 people were injured in clashes with government forces as they gathered in the main city of Srinagar and two villages, a police source said.

Two protesters were killed in Srinagar after authorities opened fire at people hurling rocks and chanting. The news of those casualties brought out more demonstrators, the source said.