A teenager was killed in government forces action at Awantipora area of Pulwama district while another succumbed to his injuries at SMHS Hospital on Friday, taking the death toll in ongoing unrest that started after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani to 46.According to local sources, eighteen year old Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat son of Bashir Ahmad Bhat resident of Chursoo Awantipora was critically injured after government forces a teargas canister lobbed by forces hit his heard during clashes at Chursoo.The injured youth was immediately taken to SMHS Hospital but died on way to the spot as doctors at SMHS said “he was brought dead”. Massive protests broke out in Chursoo after the news of youth’s death spread. Earlier in the day, another youth injured 10 days ago succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS Soura. He was identified as Ishtiaq Ahmad Mir of Kokernag.
The death toll since the outbreak of protests against Burhan’s killing has now reached 46 in Kashmir Valley. A policeman was also killed during clashes. Meanwhile, a youth identified as Asif was critically hurt at Kakpora in forces action and he is being operated upon.Meanwhile, a strict curfew was imposed across Kashmir Valley to thwart possible protests in view of Friday. Due to curfew, no Friday prayers could be offered at Jamia Masjid Srinagar for the second consecutive week as forces didn’t allow people to come out of their houses to proceed towards the grand mosque. People from Srinagar areas and several other areas said the forces disallowed them to move towards mosques to offer Friday prayers.
Even as the strict curfew was imposed, pro-freedom protests and clashes broke out at multiple places in Srinagar and elsewhere, leaving over two dozen persons injured. The protests in Srinagar broke out at Sekkidafar, Nawab Bazar and other areas of the downtown and uptown. Clashes also erupted at several places in Old City soon after the curfew was lifted.In south Kashmir, 11 persons were injured at Awantipora and Kakapora during clashes as police used teargas shells, pellets and pepper gas. At Chankan in Sopore, 11 persons sustained injuries in clashes. Two persons at Chankan sustained critical pellet injuries. In central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, five persons received injuries in clashes. The anti-India and pro-freedom protests also broke out at Baramulla and Kupwara parts after Friday prayers.The cellular and mobile internet services continue to remain suspended in Kashmir Valley even as over one week has passed.(GNS)