Two protesters killed in fresh firing, Death toll rises to 43, Separatists extend Shutdown

  • Fire opened at protesters in Kupwara and Kulgam; Batamaloo youth succumbs to injuries
  • Tough restrictions enforced in Valley to foil protests
  • Friday prayers not allowed in many mosques, shrines
  • Curfew, shutdown paralyses life for 7th day
  • Mobile services remain suspended
  • Cop’s vehicle torched in Parimpora
  • Curfew to continue in parts of Valley today
  • JK seeks more paramilitary personnel from GoI

Two protesters killed in fresh firing, Death toll rises to 43Two youth were killed in fresh firing in Kupwara and Kulgam districts on Friday while an injured youth from Batamaloo area of the city succumbed to injuries, taking the death toll of people killed in seven days of protests in Valley to 43.
A youth was killed when army men opened fire on a group of protesters at Tangibal, Khurmiyal, Lolab in Kupwara district this afternoon. The deceased was identified as Mushtaq Ahmad Ganai of Khurmiyal, Kupwara.
A group of youth staged protest at Yaripora area of Kulgam this evening. Chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the protesters clashed with the policemen.
The cops fired towards the protestors, causing injuries to four of them. One of the injured identified as Sayar Ahmad Kumar of Shopian later succumbed to injuries in the hospital.
Meanwhile, a youth identified as Hilal Ahmad of Tengpora, Batamaloo succumbed to injuries in a hospital. He had sustained injuries in police and paramilitary forces action early this week.
With three more deaths, the death toll of people killed in police and paramilitary forces firing in seven days of protests in Valley has risen to 43. Over 1600 people have also been injured with over 120 of them receiving pellet injuries in eyes.
The protests were triggered by the killing of Hizb commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with troops in Kokernag area of South Kashmir on July 8.
Authorities had imposed tough curfew throughout the Valley today to maintain law and order and foil protests.
Hundreds of police and paramilitary personnel assisted by army were deployed in the Valley today. The cops had placed barricades and concertina wires on the roads to prevent public movement.
Curfew was also imposed in famous health resort of Pahalgam. This was for the first time that strict curfew was imposed in Pahalgam .
Due to the tough security restrictions, Friday congregation prayers were not allowed by cops in historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, Dastgeer Sahib shrine and many other mosques and shrines across the Valley.
All shops, businesses establishments, government offices, banks and petrol pumps remained closed.
Journalists were also not allowed to move freely today by the cops and policemen also seized copies of newspapers from vendors in Lal Chowk this morning.
Internet service and train services remained suspended in the Valley for 7th day today. Authorities have also snapped mobile services in the Valley since yesterday evening. Only BSNL broadband connections are working.
Defying curfew, youth clashed with police and CRPF men at many places in the Valley.
The youth clashed with police and paramilitary personnel at Dragmulla in Kupwara district. In the forces firing, four youth sustained injuries. They were hospitalised.
Intense clashes took place between youth and cops in Sopore town near main Chowk after Friday prayers. The cops fired pellets and dozens of tear smoke shells towards the protestors, who pelted stones on them. Many youth were injured in the police action. Some of them had sustained severe head injuries.
Two persons were also injured in clashes with the force personnel in Delina area of Baramulla.
Two siblings Hilal Lone and Sajad Lone of Khitengan Pattan sustained injuries when cops fired on them. The injured were hospitalized.
The clashes were also reported from Baramulla, Papchan Bandipora, South Kashmir, Soura, Rainawari, Fateh kadal, Zewan, HMT Srinagar and many other parts of the Valley.
In Parimpora, protesters set afire a vehicle of policeman.
Meanwhile, reliable sources said the State government has sought extra force from New Delhi to maintain law and order in the State in view of continued protests in the Valley.
“Nine charter planes of paramilitary forces arrived at Srinagar airport from New Delhi. Each charter plane was carrying 180 paramilitary forces,” sources said.
Authorities said curfew life restrictions will remain in force in parts of Valley tomorrow also.
“Curfew will continue in Pulwama, Baramulla and Anantnag tomorrow as wekk,” an official spokesman said.

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