DHAKA: A protest erupted on Saturday after Indian police said they killed two alleged militants and two civilians in the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir, while authorities maintained tight security for a classical music concert being staged amid separatist objections.

Inspector General Nalin Prabhat said police were retaliating against alleged militants who had opened fire on a police camp in the area, which is about 50km south of Srinagar, the main city in the Indian portion of Kashmir.

Police said they recovered weapons and were working to identify the militants.

They said two civilians were also killed and one person was injured in the shootout, reports The Straits Times.

Hundreds of residents, disputing the police account, swarmed the streets of the main town in Shopian district after the shooting. Police fired tear gas and used batons to disperse the crowds.

BDST: 1858 HRS, SEPT 07, 2013
RoR/Jck