SRINAGAR, India-controlled Kashmir, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Protesters in India controlled Kashmir Thursday set fire to a police vehicle during the protest demonstrations, police said.

    The incident took place in Prechoo village of Pulwama, 35 kilometers south of Srinagar, the summer capital of India-controlled Kashmir.

    The protests broke down after a speedy police vehicle allegedly knocked down two civilians in the Prechoo village and left them critically injured.

    The incident infuriated the people, who set ablaze to the vehicle and thrashed the driver. The infuriated people also staged demonstration against the police.

    "The police vehicle knocked down two civilians and the incident triggered protests in the town," said Ashiq Ahmad, a local resident of Pulwama.

    Police later on fired tear smoke shells and bullets to contain protests in the town and at least three people suffered injuries in police action.

    Police however said that the driver lost control of the vehicle after some people hurled stones on it.

    "A police vehicle was pelted upon by miscreants near Prechoo Pulwama. The driver of the vehicle lost control over the vehicle, resulting in injuring two civilians, who were shifted to Srinagar hospital for treatment. The vehicle was set ablaze by the miscreants," said a police spokesman in Srinagar.

    Clashes also broke down in Srinagar city and curfew-bound towns of Baramulla and Sopore towns. The local protesters defied the restrictions and pelted stones on the policemen.

    Tension gripped the region and triggered fresh violence following the firing incidents on Monday in the Baramulla town, 52kilometers northwest of Srinagar. Four people were killed and several others were injured since the protests began.