Indian Kashmir separatist leader dies, troops deployed in Srinagar

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, chairman of the hardliner faction of Kashmir's All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference, talks to the media as Indian police detain his supporters after he addressed a news conference in Srinagar October 19, 2009. REUTERS/Fayaz Kabli/File Photo

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian Kashmir veteran separatist politician Syed Ali Shah Geelani died on Wednesday night in Srinagar, prompting authorities to deploy troops around the city and shut down the internet as a precautionary measure, police said. He was 91 years old.

"Troops are being deployed at sensitive places in Srinagar and other major towns and no vehicular movement is being allowed," a police official said.