Strike paralyses Kashmir town

A strike called by a separatist alliance in Indian-administered Kashmir has left streets empty and shops and businesses shut.

The All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) called the strike to protest at the damage caused by fire to the main mosque in the town of Kishtwar in Jammu region on Monday.

Violent protests broke out following the incident as crowds of Muslims clashed with police.

The APHC said that the mosque had been set on fire deliberately, although police say the blaze was apparently caused by an electrical fault.

An indefinite curfew has been imposed in Kishtwar.

The authorities have ordered an investigation into the incident.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service