Fresh clashes in Kashmir; pellet gun, teargas firing claim 2 lives, toll 78

Srinagar: A youth was killed in teargas firing by security forces during protests in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district on Saturday.

Another person was killed in Anantnag, taking the toll up to 78 in the 2-month long unrest in Kashmir following the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani.

Sayar Ahmad Sheikh was hit by a tear smoke shell in the head at Tukroo when security personnel were trying to disperse a group of stone-pelting protestors, a police official said to PTI.

The official said Sheikh was rushed to the sub-district hospital at Rajpora where doctors declared him brought dead.

Another youth, Yawar Bhat, died in security forces' action after protestors indulged in stone pelting at Botengoo in Anantnag district, the official said.

Bhat sustained pellet injuries during the clashes, he said.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti condoled the demise of the youth who died in Shopian.

‘I am told that a youth has died in stone pelting in Shopian. I feel very upset about it’, she said.

Curfew, which which was imposed on Friday in some areas of Kashmir to maintain law and order in view of Friday congregations, was on Saturday lifted from entire valley.

Meanwhile, normal life remained crippled due to restrictions and the shutdown call by separatist groups.

While shops, business establishments and petrol pumps continued to remain shut during the day, they open in the evening on some days of the week in view of the 12-hour relaxation in the strike from 6 PM announced by separatists.

The separatists have extended the shutdown programme till September 16.

Schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the Valley continued to remain closed.

Some of the areas on the outskirts and civil lines of Srinagar witnessed increased movement of private vehicles and auto-rickshaws this morning, while some shops selling essentials were also open.