One police officer has died and 10 police and paramilitary troops have been injured after gunmen attacked a police station in Srinagar. The attack coincides with the seventieth anniversary of Indian independence.
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Indian security sources confirmed on Monday that a police paramilitary commander was shot dead as violence flared up again in the disputed Kashmir region.
According to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) two of the attackers were also killed during a gunfight in Srinagar's Nowhatta neighborhood where suspected rebels attacked troops who were on patrol to enforce a curfew.
The Himalayan region of Kashmir has been under curfew for almost six weeks since angry street protests broke out over the death of a popular young rebel leader. Burhan Wani, a commander of the Pakistan-based Islamist militant group Hizbul Mujahideen, was killed in July in a gunfight with security forces.
K.K. Sharma, a top official of the CRPF said a gun battle with rebels was still ongoing.
A divided state
The attacks on Monday came just a day after Pakistan celebrated its Independence Day. Tens of thousands of residents rallied in Indian Kashmir on Sunday and hoisted Pakistani flags, chanting "Long Live Pakistan" and "Go India, go back."
At least 40 people were injured in clashes between rock-throwing protesters and government forces who fired shotgun pellets and tear gas in many places across the region, officials said.
In his annual Independence Day speech on Monday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi avoided making any direct reference to Kashmir, but criticized people in Pakistan for celebrating when what he described as "terrorist attacks" were launched on Indian soil.
Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in August 1947 but both claim the territory in its entirety.
India also accuses Pakistan of arming and training Kashmiri rebels who have been fighting for independence or for a merger with Pakistan since 1989. Pakistan denies the charge, however, insisting that it provides only moral and political support.
More than 68,000 people have been killed since rebel groups began fighting Indian forces in 1989 and in a subsequent Indian military crackdown.
India, Pakistan - 70 years of freedom
A day after Pakistan marked its independence, its twin India also celebrated its freedom from British rule. Tensions between the two, however, are running high and ties continue to be scarred by mutual suspicion.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/H. Tyagi
Time to celebrate
Millions of people across India on Monday marked the country's liberation from the British Raj. The celebrations included dances, parades and ceremonies on all levels of society. India became independent on August 15, 1947 - a day after Pakistan declared its independence.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/N. Seelam
From 'swaraj' to 'suraj'
In keeping with tradition, Indian PM Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag and addressed the nation from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort, a famous 17th-century monument in the capital New Delhi. Wearing a short-sleeved white kurta and a red, pink and yellow turban, the leader said the world's largest democracy was moving from "swaraj," or self rule in Hindi, to "suraj," or good governance.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/M. Sharma
Outlining successes
The premier used the speech to boast about the achievements of his government, citing progress in various areas such as the economy, financial inclusion, health and rural development. Modi also said his government had built over 20 million toilets and brought electricity to thousands of villages in the world's second most populous nation.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/P. Singh
Tackling issues
All is not well in India, however, with growing fears over rising intolerance and a lack of social harmony, particularly after recent attacks on low-caste Dalits and Muslims by extremists. Stressing that a strong nation cannot be built without a strong society which is based on social justice, Modi advocated a "tough and sensitive" approach to tackle problems like 'castism' or 'untouchability.'
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/S. Das
Attacks
As the celebrations were underway, Indian-administered Kashmir witnessed a new series of gun battles when suspected militants attacked a police station in the territory. It resulted in the killing of at least one paramilitary soldier and four suspected rebels. Several government troops were also wounded.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/M. Khan
Gripped by violence
Kashmir has seen violent protests in recent days following the killing of a militant commander by Indian security forces. At least 54 people have so far been killed and thousands hurt in clashes with the government troops. In his speech, however, PM Modi made no mention of the situation in Kashmir.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/T. Mustafa
Chiding Pakistan
Nevertheless, the Indian prime minister made a general appeal for an end to violence, underlining that India "will never tolerate terrorism." Furthermore, he criticized Pakistan, accusing it of supporting terrorism.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/M. Khan
An unprecedented move
Modi also alluded to Pakistan's Balochistan province and the part of Kashmir under Islamabad's control. Pakistan's Balochistan province has seen unrest in recent years. "The world is watching. People of Balochistan, Gilgit and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have thanked me a lot in the past few days … it is a moment of pride that these people have looked out to India for support," Modi said.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/EPA/H. Tyagi
Highlighting Kashmir
Modi's remarks come after Pakistan dedicated its Independence Day this year to highlight the Kashmir conflict, with Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain talking about India-administered Kashmir in his address a day earlier. The Kashmir dispute continues to beset the relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors, which have fought two of their three wars since independence over the territory.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/J. Singh
Talks soon?
After Modi's speech, Pakistan formally invited India for talks on the disputed Himalayan region, stating that it's an "international obligation" on the part of both the countries to resolve the dispute. It's yet unclear how the Indian government would respond to this invitation.