In Indian-administered Kashmir, there has been unusually strong turnout in the first phase of elections for a new state government.
In Indian-administered Kashmir, there has been unusually strong turnout in the first phase of elections for a new state government.
Queues of hundreds of voters formed from early morning in the Muslim-dominated Kashmir valley, defying a boycott called by separatist groups.
Queues of hundreds of voters formed from early morning in the Muslim-dominated Kashmir valley, defying a boycott called by separatist groups.
Voters have also come out in strength in the Hindu-majority Jammu region.
Voters have also come out in strength in the Hindu-majority Jammu region.
Meanwhile, troops fired teargas shells and used batons to break up anti-poll protests in the Bandipora area.
Meanwhile, troops fired teargas shells and used batons to break up anti-poll protests in the Bandipora area.
The election is being seen as a stern test for Indian rule in the disputed Himalayan region.
The election is being seen as a stern test for Indian rule in the disputed Himalayan region.
In recent months there have been huge pro-independence demonstrations in Kashmir which were met with force by the security forces, leaving many dead.
In recent months there have been huge pro-independence demonstrations in Kashmir which were met with force by the security forces, leaving many dead.
And dozens of separatist leaders have been detained to prevent them leading protests against the poll.
And dozens of separatist leaders have been detained to prevent them leading protests against the poll.
Voting is being held in seven phrases, lasting until 24 December. Counting of votes will take place on 28 December.
Voting is being held in seven phrases, lasting until 24 December. Counting of votes will take place on 28 December.
'Crowded'
'Crowded'
The BBC's Altaf Hussain in Bandipora says the boycott call has had littlie impact in the Bandipora and Sonawari constituencies.
The BBC's Altaf Hussain in Bandipora says the boycott call has had littlie impact in the Bandipora and Sonawari constituencies.
"Unusually large numbers" of voters have turned up to cast their ballots in Ajas village, in Bandipora, in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley, he says.
"Unusually large numbers" of voters have turned up to cast their ballots in Ajas village, in Bandipora, in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley, he says.
The voters included men and women and they all said they had come to vote by choice, our correspondent reports, and were not deterred by the chilly weather. "The polling centre in Ajas was so crowded that we could not enter it."
The voters included men and women and they all said they had come to vote by choice, our correspondent reports, and were not deterred by the chilly weather. "The polling centre in Ajas was so crowded that we could not enter it."
The security presence in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir is high
The security presence in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir is high
One voter, Ali Mohammad, told the BBC: "We support azaadi (independence from India), but elections are important for the day-to-day administration. We need a government."
One voter, Ali Mohammad, told the BBC: "We support azaadi (independence from India), but elections are important for the day-to-day administration. We need a government."
Meanwhile, security forces have fired teargas shells and used batons to break up stone-pelting protests in Bandipora.
Meanwhile, security forces have fired teargas shells and used batons to break up stone-pelting protests in Bandipora.
In one place, about 100 protesters held a march, chanting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans. Police and paramilitary troops used batons to disperse them.
In one place, about 100 protesters held a march, chanting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans. Police and paramilitary troops used batons to disperse them.
Tight security
Tight security
Brisk polling is reported in the three constituencies of Poonch district in the Hindu-majority Jammu region.
Brisk polling is reported in the three constituencies of Poonch district in the Hindu-majority Jammu region.
Enthusiastic voters are queuing up since the morning to cast their votes early, reports the BBC's Binoo Joshi from Jammu.
Enthusiastic voters are queuing up since the morning to cast their votes early, reports the BBC's Binoo Joshi from Jammu.
This year has seen widespread anti-Indian protests
This year has seen widespread anti-Indian protests
Security is tight across the state with armed soldiers and policemen deployed on every road and at almost every junction in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley.
Security is tight across the state with armed soldiers and policemen deployed on every road and at almost every junction in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley.
Half a million troops are providing a massive security blanket.
Half a million troops are providing a massive security blanket.
Over the summer hundreds of thousands of Kashmiri Muslims staged some of the biggest protests in a generation against Indian-rule.
Over the summer hundreds of thousands of Kashmiri Muslims staged some of the biggest protests in a generation against Indian-rule.
The row began after the state government allotted a plot of land to a Hindu religious shrine trust.
The row began after the state government allotted a plot of land to a Hindu religious shrine trust.
Following violent protests, the government revoked the land transfer order.
Following violent protests, the government revoked the land transfer order.
This led to violent protests in the Jammu region too.
This led to violent protests in the Jammu region too.
Police broke up the demonstrations in the valley and the Jammu region and dozens of people were killed, many of them unarmed protesters.
Police broke up the demonstrations in the valley and the Jammu region and dozens of people were killed, many of them unarmed protesters.
The authorities have jailed or put under house arrest up to 100 separatist leaders who have called for a boycott of the vote.
The authorities have jailed or put under house arrest up to 100 separatist leaders who have called for a boycott of the vote.
They are now asking their supporters to march on polling stations.
They are now asking their supporters to march on polling stations.
The BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Srinagar says India is hoping the election will help restore its battered credibility here.
The BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Srinagar says India is hoping the election will help restore its battered credibility here.
Depending on the number of people who heed the call to shun the poll, the legitimacy of India's rule over Kashmir may well be questioned, our correspondent says.
Depending on the number of people who heed the call to shun the poll, the legitimacy of India's rule over Kashmir may well be questioned, our correspondent says.
Are you in Kashmir? Are you voting? Send us your comments using the form below.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
