RIOTS have continued to rock Kashmir after rebel leader Riyaz Naikoo was shot dead by Indian troops along with three other fighters late on Tuesday in the disputed Himalayan region.

Police cars have been torched as protesters clashed with security services in towns and cities in Indian-administered Kashmir as anger grows over what is seen by many as an occupation in the locked-down region.

Hundreds of soldiers were involved in Tuesday’s operations after receiving intelligence reports that Mr Naikoo was hiding in a village in Kashmir’s southern Pulwama district.

At least two civilian homes were blasted with explosives and land, including a school playground, dug up as they searched for the Hizbul Mujahideen commander’s  hideout.

Kashmir police chief Vijay Kumar confirmed the death of the separatist leader on Wednesday morning.

“He was trapped in a house and early today a gun battle took place during which he and his associate were killed,” he said.

The killing of Mr Naikoo is being celebrated as a major coup for Indian forces with the rebel leader having a 1.2 million rupee bounty on his head.

A former mathematics teacher, he joined Hizbul Mujahideen in 2012, rising through the ranks to assume a leadership position following the death of Burhan Wani in 2016.

Internet access remained blocked yesterday morning as Indian forces tried to stop crowds gathering in protest at Mr Naikoo’s death.

But police and soldiers faced a barrage of stones as locals tried to disrupt operations. A number were injured as crowds were fired on in retaliation.

“Several protesters have received pellet injures and three of them have bullet wounds. They have been hospitalised,” Mr Kumar said.

Kashmir has been locked down since August 2019 when Indian premier Narendra Modi revoked its special status. Thousands were arrested, including political leaders, and thousands of Indian troop patrol the streets.