Violence in north Kashmir claims 4 lives

After a week-long lull, violence erupted in north Kashmir today, leaving four persons dead and 12 others injured when security forces allegedly opened fire on a stone-pelting mob that had attacked Inspector General of Police S M Sahai’s convoy in Pattan area. Police initially used batons to chase away a group of youths who had blocked the Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway at Palhalan in the Pattan area, 30 kms from here, police said.

The protesters started pelting stones, leading to clashes between the two sides. Sahai, who took over as IG last week, was targeted by stone-pelters, prompting the security forces to open fire, they said. At least 16 persons were injured in the firing.One of the injured died while being shifted to a hospital and two more succumbed to injuries. The condition of at least two of the injured is stated to be critical.