Kashmir observes complete shutdown in protest at recent killings by brutal Indian forces

Indian-controlled Kashmir has observed a complete shutdown to protest against the killing of four people by Indian forces, Press TV reports.

Shops and businesses were closed on Sunday in response to a strike call by pro-independence groups following the killing of four men in southern district of Shopian on Saturday.

A curfew was imposed in several parts of the volatile region on Sunday to prevent pro-independence demonstrations.

However, hundreds of people defied the curfew in Shopian and took to the streets, shouting pro-independence slogans.

Clashes also broke out on Sunday between government forces and protesters in the capital city of Srinagar.

Kashmiri political groups have condemned the Shopian incident and demanded an independent probe into the killings.

On Saturday, rallies in protest at the deaths rocked the southern parts of Kashmir.

Police claim that two of the victims were militants, but locals maintain that all four were civilians killed in an unprovoked firing.

Authorities have deployed large police and paramilitary troops in most parts of Srinagar and several other major cities to prevent street demonstrations.

Kashmir lies at the heart of more than 60 years of hostility between India and Pakistan. Both countries claim the region in full but have partial control over it.

The neighbors agreed on a ceasefire in 2003, and launched a peace process the following year. Since then, there have been sporadic clashes, with both sides accusing the other of violating the ceasefire.