People carry a coffin containing the body of Moulavi Shoukat Ahmad Shah during his funeral in Srinagar April 8, 2011.
A senior Muslim cleric has been killed in a powerful explosion outside a mosque in Indian-administered Kashmir as tensions rise in the disputed Himalayan valley.
The explosion came as Moulavi Shoukat Ahmad Shah was entering a mosque in the city of Srinagar for the Friday Prayers.
Several other people have been injured in the blast.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. Police say an investigation into the incident is underway.
Prios to the assassination, Moulavi Shoukat had survived several attempts on his life.
The prominent leader was a well-known supporter of the separatist movement, which wants independence from India.
The assassination has sparked tension across the predominantly Muslim valley.
Markets and other businesses remained closed for the day and traffic has been suspended in Srinagar.
The police and paramilitary forces have stepped up their presence on the streets.
Reports say thousands of protesters chanted pro-independence slogans during Moulavi Shoukat’s funeral.
This comes as there have been almost daily demonstrations against Indian rule in the region since June 2010, when security forces killed a teenage protester.
Since then violent street protests and crackdowns have left more than 110 people dead.
Government forces have responded by imposing curfews and restrictions on the movement of people.
The people of Kashmir accuse the Indian police of opening fire on peaceful demonstrators and bystanders during the unrest. Most of the victims were young men.
India and Pakistan both claim Kashmir in full but have partial control over it.
New Delhi has been repeatedly criticized for resorting to force rather than finding a diplomatic solution to the dispute.
The conflict in Kashmir has left tens of thousands of people dead over the past two decades.
JR/HGH/MMN
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