Militants kill truck driver in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Police say two masked gunmen have shot and killed a truck driver near an apple orchard in Indian-controlled Kashmir where he had gone to pick up a consignment of fruit boxes.

Top police officer Muneer Ahmed Khan says the gunmen the man’s truck on fire and fled from Sindoo Shirmal, a village in southern Kashmir.

Police blamed Monday’s killing on militants who have been fighting India’s rule in the region since 1989.

The attack came during the region’s apple season. Apple sales contribute to more than 20% of the region’s economy.

The region’s trade has been hit after India’s government downgraded the region’s semi-autonomy and imposed a security and communications lockdown in August.