Eight killed, 126 injured in clashes in Kashmir Valley; Amarnath Yatra suspended

Mobs attacked installations of police and paramilitary forces and set ablaze several buildings including three police installations

Eight people were killed and 126, including 96 security forces personnel, were injured today as mob violence and clashes rocked Kashmir over the gunning down of militant commander Burhan Wani even as authorities imposed curfew-like restrictions and suspended mobile internet services to contain the volatile situation.

Amarnath Yatra was also suspended in view of the worsening situation, with police saying it will be resumed “as soon as it is possible to ensure security of yatris”.

As Burhan, the poster boy of Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit, was laid to rest in his native place Tral, violent mobs attacked installations of police and paramilitary forces at various places in the Valley and set ablaze several buildings including three police installations, as a result of which three cops were missing.

Burhan’s funeral was attended by thousands of people.

There was no deployment of security forces in Tral and adjoining areas to avoid a confrontation with the people coming to participate in the funeral.

“We have had a very difficult day today,” said ADGP (CID) of J&K Police S M Sahai while describing the situation “bad in certain segments”, "not critical" in areas like north Kashmir and under control in Srinagar.

Eight people were killed in the clashes between violent protesters and security forces at various places in the valley that erupted a day after Burhan’s killing.

Seven of them were killed in “retaliatory” action by security forces, Sahai said, adding one person died due to drowning.

The militants are trying to “superimpose their attacks” on public protests, he said while informing that there was also a militant attack on District Police Lines in Pulwama which the security forces thwarted.

The camps at Sangam, Larnoo, Seer, Gopalpora, Minority camp Mattan, Kokernag, Dooru and Janglat Mandi were also attacked by the protesters, he said.

“It is very unfortunate that young lives were lost in clashes,” Sahai said while addressing a press conference on the situation.

He appealed to the parents to restrain their children from participating in such protests so that young lives are not lost.

Replying to a volley of questions, including why Burhan was not caught alive instead of being gunned down, Sahai said, “We certainly don’t want to kill youngsters of our own society.”

He said the Hizb commander and two others got killed when security forces retaliated after being fired upon by the trio from a house in which they were hiding. Two security personnel were injured in that firing, he added.

“The funerals became an issue today and in the background of the funerals, there were several attempts at various locations particularly on security forces establishments, police stations, other government buildings houses of politicians, army camps. These were attacked at many isolated locations also which led to a very critical situation in which there have been eight casualties today,” Additional Director General of Police, CID, S M Sahai told reporters here.

There was also a militant attack in DPL (District Police Lines) Pulwama which was warded off.

The police officer said a mob attacked police station Damhal Hanjipora and it was burnt down, adding the weapons that were snatched from the police station were used to fire upon the police personnel.

“We did try to show restraint. They took 20 of our policemen hostage, three of them got bullet injuries while three of them are still missing,” he said.

Sahai said 96 security forces personnel and around 30 civilians were injured in the clashes during the day.

The police official said the incidents of arson and stone-pelting took place on Achabal police station, in Kokernag, where a house of the MLA was burnt down, and Kund, Qazigund, on a minority camp in Vessu.

“Last night, we have had a very extensive attack on the Haal minority camp. The CRPF came under attack there and some of the abandoned houses were also set on fire,” he said.

Violent incidents of arson and stone-pelting were also reported from Awantipora, Pulwama, Bomai, Sopore, Baramulla, Palhallan, among other places.