11 people killed in Kashmir violence

The labourers from the northern state of Bihar were shot dead by suspected rebels in the southern district of Anantnag, army spokesman Hemant Junaja said. He said five others were hurt.

None of the dozen groups fighting Indian rule in mainly Muslim Kashmir claimed responsibility for the attack.

In the southern city of Jammu a man was killed and 20 injured, four seriously, when suspected Islamic rebels launched a grenade attack at a bus station crowded with Hindu pilgrims.

Those caught in the blast were standing near a counter opened to register devotees for the annual pilgrimage to the icy Armanath cave shrine in southern Kashmir, said Senior Superintendent of Police Mukesh Singh.

He added, however, that none of the scores of devotees waiting to set out on the pilgrimage was among the casualties.