NEW DELHI (AP) -- Security forces opened fire on protesters in Indian Kashmir on Monday, wounding at least seven people, including two critically, in the worst clash since unrest broke out last week over the deaths of two young women. Locals claim the women were raped and killed by Indian soldiers and have staged angry demonstrations that have spread across the Kashmir valley. Monday's protests came a day after police released forensic reports confirming that the two women were raped. Police were investigating the rapes but no one had been charged. The cause of death had not yet been determined, the statement said. Thousands protested Monday in the streets of Shopian, the women's hometown, before police fired tear gas shells and live ammunition at the crowd. Scores were injured, including at least seven with bullet wounds, said a police official who declined to be named in keeping with department policy. (19 images)
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Activists of Muslim Khawateen Markaz (MKM) shout anti-Indian and anti-government slogans during a protest in Srinagar on June 8. Protesters clashed with police as a separatist strike in Indian Kashmir paralyzed life for the eighth day over the alleged rape and murder of two young Muslim women. Police said they were investigating the deaths of the 17-year-old woman and her pregnant 22-year-old sister-in-law, whose bodies were found in a shallow stream May 30. Indian officials say preliminary investigations suggest drowning was the cause of death, but the families of the victims have accused the security forces of abducting, raping and killing the women. AFP / Getty Images / Tauseef Mustafa
Muslim Khwateen Markaz, or Muslim Women's Organization Chairperson Zamrooda Habib, center, shouts freedom slogans from a police van while being detained by police officers during a protest in Srinagar, India, Monday, June 8. Forensic reports show that the two young women whose deaths sparked a week of protest in Indian Kashmir were raped, police said, increasing the potential for unrest among demonstrators who blame Indian troops for the killings. The placard in Urdu reads: "punish rapists and killers." AP / Mukhtar Khan
Volunteers help a wounded boy at a hospital in Srinagar, India, Monday, June 8. Security forces opened fire on protesters in Indian Kashmir on Monday, wounding at least seven people, including two critically, in the worst clash since unrest broke out last week over the deaths of two young women. AP / Mukhtar Khan
An Indian paramilitary personnel falls after being hit by a stone from a protester during a protest against the deaths of two young women Kashmiri locals claim were raped and killed by Indian soldiers in Srinagar, India, Sunday, June 7. AP / Mukhtar Khan
A Kashmiri Muslim protestor kicks an Indian police vehicle during a protest in Srinagar on June 7. AFP / Getty Images / Rouf Bhat
Kashmiri protesters throw stones at an Indian paramilitary vehicle during a protest against the deaths of two young women Kashmiri locals claim were raped and killed by Indian soldiers in Srinagar, India, Sunday, June 7. AP / Mukhtar Khan
Kashmiri Muslim protesters throw stones at Indian paramilitary soldiers during a protest in Srinagar, India, Saturday, June 6. Police said they fired warning shots and tear gas to break up protests by hundreds of Kashmiris which entered a second week against the deaths of two young women locals say were raped and killed by Indian soldiers. AP / Dar Yasin
Indian paramilitary soldiers protect themselves with shields as Kashmiri protesters throw stones at them during a protest in Srinagar, India, Saturday, June 6. AP / Dar Yasin
Activists of women's separatist group Muslim Khawteen Markaz (Muslim Women's Center) hold placards with photographs of the alleged victims and messages asking those responsible for the crime to leave Kashmir, during a protest in Srinagar, India, Friday, June 5. AP / Mukhtar Khan
Indian police officers, wearing green, detain an activist of women's separatist group Muslim Khawteen Markaz (Muslim Women's Center) as the activist shouts pro-freedom slogans, during a protest in Srinagar, India, Friday, June 5. AP / Mukhtar Khan
A Kashmiri Muslim protester throws back an exploded teargas shell during a protest in Srinagar, India, Friday, June 5. AP / Dar Yasin
Policemen take cover as Kashmiri protesters stone pelt them in Srinagar, India, Friday, June 5. AP / Dar Yasin
Kashmiri protesters throw stones at policemen during a protest in Srinagar, India, Friday, June 5. AP / Dar Yasin
A Kashmiri family watches a protest in Srinagar, India, Friday, June 5. AP / Dar Yasin
Kashmiri women wail during the funeral procession of Nissar Ahmed in Srinagar, India, Thursday, June 4. Thousands of Muslims marched in Indian Kashmir's main city Thursday with the body of Ahmed clashing with troops in anti-India demonstrations that began when locals accused Indian soldiers of raping and killing two women. A tear gas shell hit Ahmedís forehead earlier this week, said a police officer on condition of anonymity in keeping with department policy. Ahmed died Thursday in a local hospital. AP / Mukhtar Khan
A policeman fires tear gas shell towards the funeral procession of Nissar Ahmed in Srinagar, India, Thursday, June 4. AP / Mukhtar Khan
Kashmiris participate in the funeral procession of Nissar Ahmed in Srinagar, India, Thursday, June 4. AP / Mukhtar Khan
Indian police officers try to stop senior separatist leader Noor Mohammad Kalwal, center, and his supporters from proceeding onwards during a protest march in Srinagar, India, Tuesday, June 2. AP / Mukhtar Khan
An activists of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) shouts freedom slogans as police officers try to stop them from proceeding onwards during a protest march in Srinagar, India, Tuesday, June 2. AP / Mukhtar Khan
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