Police say 2 killed, 25 injured in protests in Kashmir

The civilian death toll in unrest in Indian-controlled Kashmir Saturday rose to 77, with an youth killed by a teargas shell during clashes with security forces in the northern region. While 26-year-old Sayar Ahmad Sheikh was killed after being hit on the head with a tear gas shell fired at demonstrators in Shopian district, Yawar Bhat reportedly died after being injured by pellets fired in Botengoo village of the Anantnag district. He was declared brought dead when he was rushed to the hospital.

Expressing concern over the death of a stone pelter in South Kashmir’s Shopian district, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said she is upset after coming to know about the incident.

Kashmir has been on the boil since the killing of 22-year-old Burhan Wani, terror outfit Hizbul Mujahiddin’s poster boy for new militancy, by Indian security forces 60 days back. The official further added that restrictions on gatherings of people would remain throughout the Valley.

The Zonal Police Headquarters in Srinagar said in a statement on Friday that the situation in the Valley mostly remained under control.

Schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the Valley continue to remain closed due to the shutdown that has been extended until September 16 by the separatists. A few shops selling essential goods were also open. Since then, thousands of supporters of separatists have been defying security restrictions, staging protests and clashing with government forces on a daily basis.