Kashmir remains on edge, three more killed in violence
Kashmir remained on the edge with three more persons, including a cop, getting killed in violence today, raising the death toll to 18, while 200 have been injured even as curfew-like restrictions and suspension of Mobile internet services continued.
In view of the unrest following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, Amarnath Yatra also remained suspended for the second day, although some stranded pilgrims were escorted to safety.
In Delhi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation in the Valley and spoke to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, assuring her of all possible help.
The state police also urged protesters not to resort to violence, saying it does not bring the right consequences, and that it would like to avoid the killing of the youth.
Even as curfew-like restrictions remained in force, violence was reported from a number of places.
An 18-year-old youth Irfan Ahmad Malik was critically injured in clashes between protestors and security forces at Newa in Pulwama this morning, a police official said.
Irfan was rushed to SMHS hospital here but succumbed to injuries, he said.
An unidentified person was brought to district hospital Pulwama in a critical condition but succumbed to injuries, he said, adding efforts are on to ascertain his identity.
A police driver Feroz Ahmad was killed after a mob pushed his mobile bunker vehicle into river Jhelum at Sangam in Anantnag district, the official said. Efforts were on to fish out the body of the deceased cop.
In another incident, a head constable of police was shot in both legs by militants last night at his residence in Tral area of Pulwama district, the official said.
Three policemen, who went missing after a large mob attacked a police station in Damhal Hanjipora yesterday, are still untraceable, state Education Minister Naeem Akhtar said.
Three youth were injured in security forces firing when a mob attacked a police post in Achabal area of Anantnag district with stones, the official said.
Another youth was injured when he was hit by firearm in Pampore town on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway today.
At least six other persons were hospitalised with minor injuries at various places in south Kashmir, which as seen widespread protests following the killing of Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in Kokernag area on Friday.
The official said four persons who were injured in the violent clashes yesterday succumbed to injuries during the night.
As per consolidated information available now, more than 200 persons including 96 security personnel were injured in the day long clashes during which the mobs set on fire three police installations, three civil administration offices, the house of a PDP MLA, several vehicles and targeted a BJP office.
