Kashmir curfew after militant 'cricketers' kill five

SRINAGAR, INDIA // A curfew has been imposed in most of Indian-controlled Kashmir after a militant attack left five paramilitary troops dead and a civilian was killed by government troops.

Thousands of armed government troops patrolled the streets of the curfew-bound towns today.

Yesterday, two militants fired on a group of paramilitary soldiers in Srinagar, the region's main city, killing five troops. Soldiers shot dead both militants.

Later, paramilitary soldiers fatally shot a civilian who they said was part of a group of protesters throwing stones at vehicles taking the injured to a hospital. Witnesses said the man was not a protester.

No one has claimed responsibility for yesterday's attack, though suspicion immediately fell on Muslim separatists. India's government said the militants appeared to be from Pakistan, a charge Pakistan denied.