Curfew and separatist shutdown continued in Kashmir on Tuesday for the 39th consecutive day as the toll in the ongoing unrest rises to 65.
Five were killed and 15 injured in a fresh firing during clashes with security forces in Budgam.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the security situation in Kashmir and is understood to have given instructions to avoid casualties of both civilians and security personnel.
Top security officials including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and chiefs of intelligence agencies briefed the Home Minister on the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir, which has been witnessing unrest after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani, official sources said.
Singh instructed officials to try their best to restore peace in the border state as early as possible and avoid casualties of both civilians and security personnel, the sources said.
The Home Minister was given a detailed briefing on the infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector of Kashmir, where five militants were killed by security forces on Monday.
The centre has completely failed in handling the situation, said Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress leader.
A 20-year-old youth identified as Yaseer Ahmed of SD colony of Batmaloo locality in Srinagar was killed on Monday when a mob indulged in intense stone pelting.
Two other youths sustained bullet injuries.
Another youth identified as Ashfaq Ahmed who was injured in a stone pelting clash in the Tangmarg area of Baramulla district two weeks back, succumbed to his injuries on Monday evening taking the toll to 60. Over 4,000 people including security personnel and civilians have been injured in the unrest.
Police said curfew and restrictions will continue in all the 10 district headquarters of the Valley.
Separatists have already extended their protest shutdown to 18 August.
All educational institutions, shops, public transport and other businesses have remained shut since 9 July, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed.
However, banks, post offices, and government offices have been functioning during this period.
(With PTI and IANS inputs)
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