Fresh violence in Kashmir

Indian troops are accused of widespread abuses

At least seven people have been killed in separate acts of violence in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Police said seven people have also been wounded in the incidents across the state.

Indian soldiers killed two suspected militants in a gun battle in the southern district of Anantnag.

In another exchange, Indian troops say they ambushed a group of militants near the northern town of Bandipora late on Monday.

Two militants were killed - no Indian soldier is said to have been hurt in either exchange.

But three Indian soldiers were wounded when their vehicle ran over a landmine in Anantnag district on Tuesday.

The army said it was planted by militants belonging to the Hizbul Mujahideen, one of several separatist groups fighting Indian forces in Kashmir.

Villagers killed

In another incident, unidentified gunmen shot dead two villagers in the southern district of Doda and set a house on fire.

The two men belonged to a Village Defence Committee - a civilian volunteer force armed by the police to fight the militants.

Hundreds of such committees are in place in the southern Jammu region but none exist in the Kashmir Valley, which is in the north.

Police also said that one civilian was killed and four others injured after a rocket, fired at an army camp, missed its target and hit a residential house.

The attack took place in the southern district of Rajouri.

Violence in Indian-administered Kashmir has resurfaced after a lull following the appointment of a new, reformist government.