Curfew like restrictions were Saturday imposed in several parts of Kashmir Valley while the rest of places observed complete shutdown to mourn the death of the face of Kashmir militancy and most popular militant, Burhan Muzaffar Wani who was killed in an encounter that raged between forces and militants in Kokernag area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district Authorities imposed curfew like restriction in parts of Srinagar city and South Kashmir areas to thwart any possible protests following the killing of Hizb commander Burhan Wani.Reports said that the people in several South Kashmir areas defied the curfew and staged protest over the killing of Burhan Wani.“During the clashes between youth and forces in several South Kashmir areas, eight civilians lost their lives while one among them died due to drowning,” confirmed a top police officer while addressing a presser here.
The youth according to him were identified as Amir Bashir Khan of Verinag, Saqib Manzoor Mir, Yawar Manzoor both residents of Khundroo Achabal, Aijaz Ahmad Thakur of Siligam Ashmuqam, Muhammad Asif Dar of Halpora Kokernag and Showkat Ahmad of Hassan pora Ariwan Bijbehara. He informed that clashes erupted in several areas across the Valley including Achabal, Kokernag, Kund, Qazigund, DH Pora, Vessu, Dooru, Sangam, Awantipora, Pulwama, Bomai, Sopore, Baramullah, Palhallan, Pattan, Delina, Gantamullah, Sheeri, Kreeri, Lalpora, Bandipora, Narbal, Lasjan, Barzullah, Nowgam, Tengpora and Batamaloo.“At least 96 police personnel were injured during the clashes while three police personnel are missing,” he said, adding that two police stations DH pora, Achabal, Tehsil office Kokernag and police post Kund, Qazigund were set on fire by the angry mobs.According to KNS correspondent, angry youth on Saturday morning set on fire a bunker of Border Security Force (BSF) in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district after they offered funeral prayers in absentia for slain Hizb commander Burhan.
“Thousands of people, mostly youth participated in absentia prayers for Burhan,” witnesses said, adding that BSF men resorted to aerial firing and tear smoke shells to disperse the agitated youth.Meanwhile, massive clashes also erupted in Baramulla town. “Thousands of youth took out a rally to main Chowk where they raised slogans to eulogise Wani,” reports said.Later, the protesters marched towards the Tehsil road where they attacked a police station with rocks.Police and paramilitary forces swung into action and pushed the protesters towards Cement Bridge where massive clashes are still ongoing.Burhan who was killed in gunfight with forces in Bumdoora village of Kokernag in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district had joined Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, a militant outfit in the year 2010. Meanwhile, reports said that thousands of youth took out a rally to main Chowk where they shouted slogans to eulogise young Burhan.Later, the protesters marched towards the Tehsil road where they attacked a police station with rocks.
Police and paramilitary forces swung into action and pushed the protesters towards Cement Bridge where massive clashes are going on.Similarly, in Palhallan locality, youths attacked a police post on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway.Forces responded with teargas shelling, pushing the youths towards the interiors of the locality where clashes are going on.Reports said that clashes erupted in Chichlora area near Magam town of central Kashmir after funeral prayers in absentia were held for slain militant commander Burhan Wani on Saturday.Witnesses said that scores of people assembled in Chichlora on Srinagar-Gulmarg road and offered prayers for the 21-year-old ‘poster boy’ of new-age militancy in Kashmir.
Police and paramilitary forces lobbed teargas shells at the protesters who were pelting stones.Clashes were going on at the time of filing of this report.
Massive protests erupted on Saturday in Kaimoh and adjoining villages of Khudwani and Redwani in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district after the killing of Hizb commnader Burhan Wani.In Islamabad town, the protesters have defied curfew at several places, said a witness.Mosques are reverberating with pro-freedom and pro-Burhan slogans.Meanwhile, reports said that government forces barged into many houses in old town during the protests.Reports of massive protests have also been received from Seer, Mattan, Kokernag and other Kulgam villages.Meanwhile, massive protests were in Kaimoh and adjoining villages of Khudwani and Redwani in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district.Witnesses said that in Islamabad town, the protesters have defied curfew at several places.“Masjids are reverberating with pro-freedom and pro-Burhan slogans,” they said, adding that reports of massive protests have also been received from Seer, Mattan, Kokernag and other Kulgam villages.
Clashes erupted between youth and forces in Masiuma area of Srinagar city. “Protesters mostly youth took to streets and pelted stones on forces who later disbursed to tear smoke shells to disperse the youth,” witnesses said.Witnesses said that clashes are ongoing in Humhama area of Budgam district. “Youth tried to offer funeral procession in absentia for Hizb commander but forces foiled it,” witnesses said.They said that Police also resorted to tear smoke shells to disperse the youth who were throwing stone on them.Reports of clashes were also reported from Hyderpora area.Meanwhile, at least 13 youth were injured during the clashes between youth and forces in Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. According to KNS correspondent, “13 youth resident of Baramula and different areas of Sopore were injured during the clashes.
They were shifted to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Sopore for treatment. All the injured were later discharged,” he said, adding that SSP and other senior officials are on the spot and are monitoring the situation. In Bumai area of Sopore, people also took to streets and raised pro-freedom slogans. “After Zuhr prayers, people assembled in the area and offered funeral procession in absentia for Burhan,” witnesses said.Meanwhile, thousands of people have assembled at Eidgah in Tral on Saturday to have a last glimpse of militant commander Burhan Wani who died in a gunfight with forces in Kokernag last evening.Reports said that the numbers are swelling despite curfew and restrictions placed by the authorities to prevent large assemblies.Witnesses said that people are using detours to reach Tral as the main highway has been barricaded by forces.A witness said that he saw hundreds of people headed towards Tral walking on foot.Meanwhile, reports said that the body hasn’t reached Tral yet.Meanwhile, all shops and business establishments remained closed while the vehicular movement was off the roads throughout the day. “All petrol pumps are also closed,” witnesses said. (KNS)