Separatist Protests Erupt In India's Kashmir

Indian security forces have used tear gas and pellet guns against thousands of stone-throwing Muslim protesters in Srinagar, the main city in the Indian portion of Kashmir.

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, and is claimed by both.

The separatist protesters took to Srinagar's streets on August 9 after prayers to mark the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which caps the fasting month of Ramadan.

At least 19 police officers and dozens of protesters were injured.

The clashes came amid heightened tensions between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan.

On August 8, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said it was "imperative" for both India and Pakistan to reinforce a 10-year-old cease-fire on their de facto border in Kashmir, after India accused Pakistan's army of involvement in an ambush that killed five Indian soldiers there on August 5.

Based on reporting by AP and Srinagar News Agency