Kashmir toll climbs to 47

Constable Mudasir Ahmad, injured in the attack on a police station on July 15, succumbed to injuries at a hospital this morning

With a constable and a civilian succumbing to injuries on  Sunday, deaths in the ongoing unrest in Kashmir climbed to 47. Curfew remained in force in five districts of the Valley and some parts of the summer capital as a precautionary measure.

An uneasy calm prevailed in Kashmir where normal life was paralysed for the 16th consecutive day on Sunday even as security agencies braced for a march called by separatists on Monday.

"Curfew is in force in five South Kashmir districts — Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara, Pulwama and Shopian and eight police station areas of Srinagar city as a precautionary measure," a police official said.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti lashed out at Pakistan for instigating youths in Kashmir to take up arms, saying it has to change its policy, and asked the Centre to revoke the AFSPA on trial basis from selected areas, as a beginning towards "winning the hearts" of people.

"Today when a Kashmiri child takes up gun, they (Pakistan) call him leader and say he is doing good, but when their own children, some from madrassas etc take up gun, they attack them with drones and hang them in military courts.

While curfew has already been lifted from four districts - Bandipora, Baramulla, Budgam and Ganderbal, restrictions continue in these areas on the assembly of four or more persons, he said, adding the situation across the Valley is peaceful so far.

Constable Mudasir Ahmad and a civilian, Sameer Ahmad Wani, who were injured in clashes that erupted in the Valley following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter on July 8, succumbed today.

Mudasir is the second policeman to die in the violent clashes.

On July 15, a mob pelted stones at police station Yaripora in Kulgam. During the stone pelting, suspected militants hurled a grenade at the police station, resulting in injuries to six personnel including Mudasir.

Sameer Ahmad Wani, a resident of Khonmoh area of Pampore in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, was injured during the violent clashes on July 10. He died during treatment at SKIMS Soura, a police official said.

Life in Kashmir has been paralysed since July 9, a day after Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces.

Separatists have been spearheading the agitation and called for a march to Anantnag town tomorrow.

The security grid has geared itself to ensure that the march does not take place, the police official said.

He said police and CRPF personnel, who have already been deployed in strength at vulnerable spots across the Valley, have been directed to strictly implement the curfew and restriction.

Over 5,000 civilians and security personnel have been injured in the violent clashes between protesters and security forces following Wani's killing.