NEW DELHI, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Police in Indian-controlled Kashmir detained three separatist leaders on Friday after they tried to defy restrictions to lead a protest march, police said.

Senior separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq were detained after they defied house arrest and tried to travel to southern town of Shopian. Another leader Yasin Malik was arrested in Shopian after he took out a protest march.

"They were detained for defying restrictions as we would not like to vitiate the peaceful environment in the state," a police official said.

Malik's spokesman told media he managed to reach Shopian evading police restrictions.

The separatist leadership had called for a march to Shopian to express solidarity with the families of three youth killed last week during army firing on civilian protesters.

Clashes erupted following detention of Malik in Shopian.

Reports said police fired dozens of tear smoke shells to chase protesters.

Authorities anticipating protests Friday morning imposed restrictions in areas falling in seven police stations of Srinagar. Similar restrictions were put in place in Shopian.

Anti-India sentiment runs deep in the psyche of majority of Kashmiris. Irate residents often took to roads and clash with police.

A guerrilla war and separatist movement is going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989.