Four killed in Kashmir violence

Four people, including two civilians, have been killed in two separate attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The two civilians - a tourist and a local boy - died in a grenade attack by suspected separatist militants, at the hill resort of Gulmarg on Sunday.

Police said four others were injured when a tourist vehicle was targeted at the resort, 50km west of Srinagar.

Two security personnel, including a major with the Indian army, died in a clash with militants in Rajouri.

On Saturday, at least nine Indian soldiers were killed in an explosion triggered by suspected separatist militants, police said.

The Hizbul Mujahideen militant group called the BBC office in Srinagar to say it carried out the blast.

The violence comes days after senior officials from India and Pakistan held talks to step up confidence-building measures in the disputed region.

Violence in Indian-controlled Kashmir has reduced markedly since a 2003 ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

But analysts say recent firing incidents across the Line of Control and rare allegations of ceasefire breaches underline how fragile the peace is.