JAMMU, KASHMIR, August 28, 2001: A curfew has been declared in the town of Poonch in Indian-administered Kashmir following the murder of two Hindu priests by suspected militants late on Monday, according to this BBC report. Police say a group of militants entered a temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali near Surankot in the mountainous district of Poonch. After waking the two priests from sleep, the militants allegedly beheaded them. Commentators say that while the number of Hindus murdered in Jammu has increased in recent months, this is the first incident in which Hindu priests have been murdered. The news of the killing of the priests sparked an angry reaction from Hindus living in the town of Poonch, who demonstrated on the streets in protest against the killings. Additional forces have been deployed in the town. Sources in nearby Rajouri say angry demonstrations have been held there too.
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