J&K boils over Wani killing

J&K boils over Wani killing
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Highlights

Eleven persons were killed and over 200 injured in clashes in Kashmir between security forces and violent mobs who set ablaze five buildings, including three police installations, and some vehicles to protest the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen poster boy Burhan Wani in an encounter. Many security personnel were also injured in the day-long violence. 

Srinagar: Eleven persons were killed and over 200 injured in clashes in Kashmir between security forces and violent mobs who set ablaze five buildings, including three police installations, and some vehicles to protest the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen poster boy Burhan Wani in an encounter. Many security personnel were also injured in the day-long violence.

Curfew was imposed in many parts of Srinagar city and elsewhere Kashmir where mobile internet services were suspended across the valley and mobile telephony services restricted in south Kashmir, the epicentre of the trouble.


Highlights:

  • Curfew imposed in many areas in J&K
  • Internet and train services suspended
  • Amarnath Yatra suspended

Burhan's funeral in Tral town was attended by thousands of people while violent protests were reported from a number of places from Khadinyar in north Kashmir to Kulgam in south, a day after the militant commander was killed.

A 25-year-old youth, Amir Bashir, was hit by a bullet allegedly fired by security forces on protestors in Verinag area of Anantnag district in south Kashmir, a police official said. He was shifted to a hospital but he succumbed to injuries on the way.

Another youth was reportedly killed in similar circumstances in Qaimoh area late on Friday night. Zubair Ahmad had multiple bullet injuries in his chest, a doctor at the Anantnag district hospital said on condition of anonymity.

A 16-year-old youth identified as Saqib Manzoor was declared "brought dead" by doctors at SMHS hospital where he was taken by some people with critical injuries sustained due to use of firearms, a police official said.

Besides these three deaths, there were unconfirmed reports about the death of five others, including a youth who drowned in a river at Ganeshpora as security forces chased a group of protestors. Police said over 50 other youth were injured in action by the security forces against the violent mobs at several places across the valley. The protestors indulged in widespread violence and arson. They attacked police posts at several places and also damaged the office of the BJP in Kulgam area, police said.

The mobs set on fire police stations at Achabal and Damhal Hanjipora while a police post at Kund in Qazigung was also set ablaze. Two government offices were set on fire by protestors in Tral town of Pulwama district as well while three buses were also set on fire at Qazigund.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has expressed deep grief and agony over the death of youths during protests at various places in the Kashmir valley. “I express profound grief over the tragic death of the youths and extend my heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family members in their hour of immense grief,” the Chief Minister said in a statement. Urging for calm, Mehbooba sought people’s cooperation in restoration of normalcy in the valley.

Mobile internet suspended
Following the gunbattle that killed Jammu and Kashmir's most wanted Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani (21), authorities suspended mobile internet services in Kashmir valley.

The move was taken in a bid to prevent anti-social elements from spreading rumours. Apart from mobile internet services, train services from Baramulla in Kashmir region to Banihal town in Jammu have also been suspended. "We want to normalise the situation at the earliest," police sources said.

Curfew-like restrictions
Curfew has been imposed in large parts of Srinagar city and several areas of south Kashmir amid tension following the killing of Burhan Wani. Restrictions were imposed in the entire district of Pulwama and in towns of Anantnag, Shopian, Pulgam and Sopore. All school board exams scheduled for the day have been postponed.

Amarnath Yatra suspended
In the wake of the precipitating tension after the killing of the Hizbul guerrilla, Amarnath Yatra has been suspended in a bid to avoid any untoward event. A government official confirmed that mobile internet services, train services and Amarnath Yatra were put on hold keeping in view of the tension.

"No yatri was allowed to move from Bhagawati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu city towards the valley due to prevailing tension following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani," a senior police official. "The situation will be reviewed later. Till then the Amarnath Yatra shall remain suspended."

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