SRINAGAR, India (Reuters) – A Kashmiri separatist leader was among two people killed on Monday as police fired to stop traders from crossing into Pakistan to protest what they said was an economic blockade by Hindus, police said.

TUNCELI, Turkey (Reuters) – Nine Turkish soldiers including a lieutenant colonel were killed on Monday when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device planted by separatist guerrillas, military sources told Reuters.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin sharply criticized the United States on Monday, saying its support for Georgia in the conflict over the separatist region South Ossetia displayed a cynical Cold War mentality.