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At least two youth were killed and two others wounded on Monday after Indian army troopers fired on a car in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.
The firing incident took place on Monday evening at Chattergam in Budgam district, about 14 km south of Srinagar city, summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir The teenagers were inside a car, when troopers fired on it.
"Four people were wounded after being hit by bullets fired by troopers at Chattergam village," a police officer said.
"Of the wounded, two later on succumbed to their wounds while being taken to military hospital in Srinagar, while as remaining two are undergoing treatment."
According to Indian military spokesman in Srinagar, the troopers had asked driver of the vehicle to stop for checking but he ignored the call, following which troopers fired on the car.
A statement issued by Indian military said troopers had laid a barricade in the village on the road and were frisking vehicles.
The checking according to a military spokesman was being carried out following intelligence inputs suggesting presence of militants in the village.
The wounded civilians were immediately rushed to hospital by troopers, a military spokesman said.
Meanwhile, the unprovoked firing and killing of youth triggered massive anti-army and anti-India protests in the area.
People including women and children staged demonstrations against Indian army. The protesters blocked the road and were demanding action against the erring troopers, besides an end to patrolling by army.
"We are demanding punishment of the troopers who fired at the civilian vehicle," said Nazir Mushtaq over telephone from Chattergam.
"The army should stop patrolling for it proves fatal to residents."
New Delhi has imposed the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the region, which gives extraordinary powers to its troops such as shooting a person on mere suspicion in the region.
Indian troops and police are consistently been accused of grave human rights violations in the region.
Separatists in the region have been demanding the withdrawal of troops and scrapping of special powers and have even made it a pre- condition for entering into formal talks with New Delhi.
Meanwhile, India military has regretted loss of civilian lives in firing at Chattergam.
"Army regrets the loss of lives and has ordered an inquiry to investigate into the circumstance leading to the incident," the statement issued by army reads.
"Anyone found guilty will be severely dealt with."
Indian-controlled Kashmir is considered as one of the highest militarized regions in the world.
Officially India does not reveal the actual number of its troops deployed in Kashmir.
Rights groups say India has deployed more than 700,000 troopers and paramilitary troopers in the region to fight militants.
The killings are likely to fuel anti-India protests in the restive region and have come ahead of elections.
Anti-India sentiment runs deep into the psyche of Kashmiris.
Indian authorities have announced dates of local elections in the restive region.
The five-phase staggered polls would begin from Nov. 25 and end on Dec. 20.
Separatist groups opposing New Delhi's rule in region reject Indian elections and usually urge people to boycott the exercise.
Authorities have detained separatists fearing they would intensify poll boycott campaign in run up to the elections.
A guerrilla war is also going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in the region since 1989.
Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan is claimed by both in full.
Since their Independence from British, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.
