May 27 (UPI) -- A popular militant commander and a lieutenant were killed by Indian security forces in Kashmir on Saturday, touching off violent anti-government protests.
Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, 27, the leader of the Hizbul Mujahideen military group, and an associate were killed by government troops after militants instigated a gun fight with security forces Friday night in the town of Tral. Officials said the militants took refuge in nearby homes, prompting a ground search to hunt them down. Bhat and the other man were killed during that operation.