Three persons were killed and over 150 injured in fresh clashes, which rocked Kashmir in several places after Friday prayers, raising the death toll in the current unrest to 53.
The clashes took place even as curfew was extended to more areas of Kashmir to thwart a planned march by separatists to Hazratbal shrine even as normal life in the Valley remained paralysed for the 28th consecutive day.
Mohammad Maqbool Khanday was allegedly killed in action by security forces against mobs who indulged in stone-pelting after Friday prayers at Nagam in Chadoora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district, a police official said.
As the news of Khanday’s death spread, protests erupted in several places along the Chanapora-Chadoora road and clashes were reported from Kralpora area, he said.
In another incident, three young men were critically injured in action by security forces against violent mob at Khansahib area of Budgam district, the official said but one of the youths were declared “brought dead” by doctors to SMHS hospital in Srinagar.
The deaths led to protests within the hospital and some started pelting stones on the nearby Karan Nagar police station. One young man was killed in a clash in Sopore, he said.
More than 100 people were reported to be injured in these clashes but officials refused to comment on this, saying they were busy with the law and order situation. Earlier in the day, authorities had extended curfew to more areas of Kashmir to thwart a planned march by separatists to the Hazratbal shrine.
Normal life in the Valley remained affected for the 28th consecutive day due to the curbs imposed by authorities and separatist-sponsored strikes after the killing of Hizbul Majahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter on 8 July.