Kashmir clashes: Another youth killed in clashes, death toll rises to 67

With another youth succumbing to his injuries in the clashes that broke out between security forces and the locals in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir today, the death toll in the Valley has reached 67.

As many as 67 people, including two cops, have been killed and several thousand others injured in the clashes that began on July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen Commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces in Kokernag area of south Kashmir's Anantnag district.

Curfew remains imposed in several parts of the valley and internet and call services, except for BSNL, remain suspended.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured that an alternative to pellet guns to deal with protesting mobs in Kashmir would be introduced in a few days.

"A committee set up to look into alternatives to pellet guns will give its report soon. We feel the need to have an alternative. We have asked the forces to exercise maximum restraint and they are doing that," Singh said in a joint press conference with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

According to reports, a Home Ministry panel has suggested replacing pellet guns with PAVA shells, a chilli-based non-lethal weapon which temporarily incapacitates the targets and renders them immobile for several minutes.