Fresh clashes in Kashmir Valley, 3 killed

Fresh clashes between protestors and security forces were reported in central Kashmir. A CRPF vehicle was attacked by stone pelters at Aripathan in Magam area. Schools, colleges, and private offices remained closed while public transport remained off the roads.

Three persons were killed and five injured in fresh clashes between stone-pelting protestors and security forces in Magam area of central Kashmir's Budgam district today, taking the death toll in the ongoing unrest in the Valley to 61.

A group of youth pelted stones at a CRPF vehicle at Aripathan in Magam area this morning. In the retaliatory action by the security forces, three persons were killed while five others sustained injuries, a police official said.

Curfew, meanwhile, remained in force in entire Srinagar district and Anantnag town while restrictions were in place in the rest of the Valley as normal life remained paralysed for the 39th consecutive day.

The official said curfew and restrictions were imposed to thwart the plans of separatists to organise sit-in protest against the civilian killings at main market places of the Valley.

"Curfew remained in force in entire Srinagar district and Anantnag town in south Kashmir as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order," the police official said.

Schools, colleges, and private offices remained closed while public transport remained off the roads due to the strike called by the separatists.The attendance in government offices was thin. Internet and mobile services across the Valley remained suspended.

While broadband services were snapped on Saturday evening, the mobile services were suspended late in the night on the same day.

Normal life has been affected due to protests against the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8. 61 persons, including two cops, have been killed and several thousand others have been injured in the clashes that began on July 9.