Three civilians were killed and around 150 were injured as fast-spreading protests and clashes convulsed large parts of the Kashmir Valley and the Muslim belts of the Jammu region where Internet was blocked again on Friday.
Anti-government rallies were taken out in around 45 places in the Valley’s 10 districts after Friday prayers. Two civilians were killed in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, indicating a further escalation as the deaths took place in a relatively less volatile district. One student was killed in Baramulla’s Sopore area in clashes.
The death toll has risen to 55 since the >killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an operation on July 8 that triggered a massive public backlash.
Police sources said fierce clashes broke out in south Kashmir’s volatile districts of Shopian, Anantnag, Kulgam and Pulwama, leaving scores of protesters injured.
In north Kashmir’s Kupwara and Baramulla districts, medical emergencies were declared in hospitals to manage the rush of injured protesters. Scores were wounded in Bandipora and Ganderbal districts after rallies turned violent when the security forces disallowed the marches.
Clashes in hospital Srinagar’s Shri Maharaja Hari Singh hospital confirmed receiving protesters who sustained pellet and bullet injuries. The hospital also witnessed clashes as the dead were being ferried to their respective areas.
According to official figures, more than 4,600 people, including security personnel, have been injured in the ongoing unrest in Kashmir.
In Srinagar, separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Geelani were arrested in an attempt to foil their march towards the Hazratbal Shrine.
