Curfew in parts of Kashmir, CRPF officer killed in militant

Curfew remained in force in some parts of Kashmir Valley where the death toll in the ongoing unrest rose to 57 after a youth who was injured in clashes with the security forces last week succumbed this morning even as militants struck at Nowhatta area here, killing a CRPF officer and injuring nine security personnel.

"Curfew remained in force in five police station areas of the old city, Hazratbal zone in Srinagar district and Anantnag town in south Kashmir as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order," a police officer said, adding that restrictions on movement of people were in force in the rest of the Valley.

Stringent security arrangements were put in place on account of Independence Day celebrations but militants struck at Nowhatta area of the city in the morning, killing a CRPF officer and injuring nine other security personnel.

Two ultras were also killed in retaliatory firing by the security forces in the encounter which began at around 7.30 in the morning.

Ishfaq Ahmad Bhat, who had sustained head injuries during clashes between protesters and security forces at Tangmarg area of Baramulla district on August 12, succumbed at SKIMS hospital here, the officer said.

Internet and mobile services across the Valley remained suspended as part of the security drill ahead of I-Day celebrations.

While broadband services were snapped on Saturday evening, mobile telephony was suspended the same night. But, while all mobile phone services remained suspended during I-Day celebrations over the last 10 years, BSNL connections was up and running today.

"Only BSNL postpaid mobile connections are working while broadband services are available only at Lal Chowk, Sonawar and Bemina telephone exchanges," the official said.

Normal life remained paralysed in the Valley for the 38th consecutive day due to curfew, restrictions and separatists-backed strikes following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with the security forces on July 8.

The separatist camp, headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik, had asked the people of the Valley to observe the day as "black day" by hoisting black flags atop all the buildings.

The separatist camp is spearheading the protests over the civilian killings in the aftermath of Wani's encounter.

As many as 57 people, including two policemen, have been killed and thousands of others injured in the clashes that began on July 9.