Youth killed in Shopian clashes, increasing death toll to 76

A youth has died in fresh clashes between protesters and security forces in south Kashmir's Shopian district, increasing the death toll from the ongoing unrest in the region to 76.

The current unrest entered its 64th day on Saturday.

According to reports, at least 50 protesters were injured in clashes with the police and CRPF men in different areas of the valley.

Shops and business establishments are closed, even as preparations are underway for the Eid-ul-Azha which falls on Tuesday.

Clashes erupted in Srinagar following the death of a government driver, Abdul Qayoom of Alikadal area, in a hospital on Friday night.

While, the family claims he had been beaten to death by the CRPF men on Friday, the police claimed that he was injured in a road accident.

Earlier, clashes also broke out Shopian where the protesters set ablaze a mini-secretariat building, injuring more than 80 people.

The deadly violence is happening after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir on July 8, where several thousand of people have been injured.