Authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in Indian Kashmir on Sunday ahead of a pro-independence rally planned by separatists.

The rally, if it goes ahead Monday, would be the latest in a string of anti-India protests in the disputed Himalayan region.

Hundreds of thousands have attended a series of such marches over the past two months, which have seen some of the most intense anti-India feeling in Kashmir in the past 20 years.

At least 45 people have died in the unrest, most of them killed when soldiers opened fire on Muslim protesters.

Kashmiri separatist groups have urged those seeking an end to Indian rule to gather in the heart of Srinagar on Monday, but the authorities have moved to stop the rally from going ahead.

Before dawn Sunday, police vans moved through the streets, warning people to stay indoors indefinitely, and thousands of soldiers have been deployed in Srinagar and other major towns.

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, which have fought two of their three wars over the region. Both the neighbouring countries claim the region in its entirety.

With files from the Associated Press