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Five truck drivers shot dead in occupied Kashmir

SRINAGAR, (Occupied): Unidentified gunmen entered a large parking lot for trucks in occupied Kashmir state and shot dead five drivers after identifying them as Hindus, police said.

The killings late on Monday came just a day after gunmen shot dead three Hindu women and a four-year-old boy in western Kashmir. Three Hindu men were kidnapped after the shooting and their whereabouts are still unknown.

Police said a large number of truck drivers had parked their trucks for the night in Qazigund, 75 kilometers southwest of Srinagar, after making deliveries of food and provisions across Kashmir.

Because of fear of violence by freedom fighters, travel on the main highway linking Srinagar to Jammu, is not allowed.

The gunmen entered the parking area at 11:30 pm and asked the drivers to come out and identify themselves, police said. Five Hindu drivers were then selected and shot dead.

Police blamed freedom fighters for the killings though no group has taken responsibility. APP