Man shot dead over allegation of smuggling cows in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, India – Police and residents say a Muslim man has been shot and killed and another injured by Hindu vigilantes in Indian-controlled Kashmir over allegations of smuggling cows.

Police say a group of Hindu men intercepted the two Muslims in the outskirts of southeastern Bhaderwah town before dawn Thursday and shot at them after an altercation. A 50-year-old man died while another man was injured.

Residents say the attack was carried out by so-called cow vigilantes. Authorities imposed a curfew in Bhaderwah after violent protests erupted over the shooting.

Hindus consider cows sacred, and slaughtering them or eating beef is illegal or restricted across much of India.

Attacks on minority groups, especially Muslims, have been on the rise in India since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in 2014.