SRINAGAR – Indian security forces martyred four alleged fighters inoccupied Kashmir on Saturday, police said, as the disputed Muslim-majorityterritory simmers under a lockdown imposed by New Delhi after itrevoked its constitutional autonomy in August.

Three were killed in the Batote market area of Jammu where, according toofficials, they had allegedly taken a local civilian hostage inside hishouse.

The hostage was rescued unharmed, a spokesman for the central reservepolice force told journalists.

Another Kashmiri was killed in an ‘encounter’ in Kangan in the north of theregion, Dilbagh Singh, director general of Jammu and Kashmir police told*AFP*.

Singh also said Kashmiri fighters had thrown a grenade in the Safakadalarea of Srinagar city but that no one was injured in the incident. – APP/AFP