Police in Indian-administered Kashmir say that, in a new flare up of violence, suspected militants have shot at a trade union leader while more than 30 people, mostly civilians, have been wounded in grenade explosions.

India says militant infiltration is rising

Police say militants lobbed a grenade at a crowded market in the Khansaheb area of Budgam district on Friday evening, and 16 civilians were injured in the explosion.

In another incident, militants are reported to have attacked a patrol of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police paramilitary force at Kakapora in Pulwama district with another grenade, wounding six soldiers and 11 civilians.

Meanwhile, an Indian soldier has been seriously wounded in an exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani troops along the Line of Control (LoC) dividing Kashmir.

Police say Ghulam Mohi-uddin Wani, president of the local shopkeepers' association, was shot at inside his shop at Kadikadal in Srinagar on Saturday.

He has been admitted to hospital with serious injuries.

Rampaging troops

Although no militant group has so far admitted carrying out the attack, violent incidents appear to have suddenly increased after several weeks of relative quiet.

Artillery duels highlight continuing tensions

The attack on Mr Wani and the other incidents follow the death of Anwar Hossain Baba, leader of the pro-Indian Jammu Kashmir Awami Mahaz.

Mr Baba was shot at in broad daylight in Srinagar on Friday by unidentified assailants and succumbed to his injuries.

Police say they were unable to identify who or what the target of the grenade attack at the Khansaheb market was.

At Kakapora, eyewitnesses say ITBP soldiers went on the rampage after the grenade attack and targeted ordinary civilians besides ransacking nearby shops.

Meanwhile, in an exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani soldiers in the Ranbir Singh Pura area 20 miles (30km) south of Jammu, an Indian soldier has been seriously injured.

The casualties on the Pakistani side could not be ascertained.

War of words

The spurt in violence follows comments by India's Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha that the infiltration of militants from Pakistan has increased despite pledges by President Pervez Musharraf to stop it.

This was preceded by Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes saying India would not pull back its forces from the borders before state elections in Indian-administered Kashmir.

According to the constitution, elections in Indian-administered Kashmir must be held by mid-October.

Pakistan has rejected Indian claims and says Delhi is merely seeking excuses to avoid having to engage in serious discussions with Pakistan.