ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed deep concern over the killing of more than six people protesting the reported manhandling of a cleric and desecration of the Holy Quran by Indian troops in disputed Kashmir.

Indian paramilitary soldiers had shot dead six people protesting outside a Border Security Force station in Indian-Administered Kashmir on Thursday.

According to reports, residents of Gool district had gathered to demonstrate after BSF troopers beat up an Imam and desecrated the Holy Quran during a search for alleged militants inside a madrassa (seminary) in Gool the previous night.

More than 40 others were also reported to be injured during the clashes.

“Such acts incite violence and hurt the sentiments of Muslims not only in Pakistan but all over the world,” said a statement issued by the Pakistani Foreign Office on Friday.

The foreign office said it had noted comments by the Indian government to carry out a probe into the incident.

“The government of Pakistan calls for a thorough and proper investigation to be carried out expeditiously and those responsible for this act to be brought to justice,” said the press statement.

A curfew was in force in most parts of Indian-administered Kashmir on Friday following a strike call and a rally by protestors against the killing.

Indian police and paramilitary soldiers had erected checkpoints and laid barbed wire on roads in Srinagar, the main city, to prevent any anti-India protests.