2 more killed as army moves in

Two protesters were killed and at least 100 injured Saturday when anti-India demonstrators clashed with government forces in Indian-administered Kashmir as the region remained locked down for the 64th straight day, officials said.

The deaths came after the army on Friday took up positions in rural areas of four trouble-tossed South Kashmir districts of Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag, which witnessed the bulk of violence in the last two months. It is the first deployment of army in the volatile region since 2014.

The protests and clashes broke out in at least half a dozen places across the southern and central parts of the Himalayan valley.

"We have reports of more than 100 injured in today's protests. Around 25 of them have bullet wounds," a police officer said. With yesterday's killings the death toll in the unrest, which has entered its third month, climbed to 78.

Thousands of people in Indian Kashmir have been protesting against Indian rule almost daily since the killing of a popular rebel leader in a gun battle with soldiers on July 8, staging "freedom rallies" across large parts of the disputed territory.

Authorities lifted a curfew in most parts of the territory late last month, but schools, shops and many banks remain closed while residents struggle with a communications blackout.

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the two gained independence from British rule in 1947. Both claim the territory in full.

Several rebel groups have for decades fought Indian soldiers -- currently numbering around 500,000 -- deployed in the territory, demanding independence for the region or its merger with Pakistan.

Tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have died in the fighting.