2 civilians, 1 policeman killed; death toll climbs to 78
Srinagar: For the first time in many years, authorities on Tuesday imposed curfew in all 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley on Eid even as helicopters and drones have been pressed into service for surveillance.
Restrictions on assembly of large number of people have been imposed in view of the call by separatists for a march to the local offices of the United Nations on Tuesday, coinciding with the global body’s Opening of 71st Session of the UN General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday.
The Army, which has been asked to be on standby, will step in if there is fresh outbreak of violence in the Valley, which has been witnessing widespread unrest for over two months leading to death of over 78 people so far, official sources said.
Army troops have already been stationed at vantage points in rural areas which have a history of violent protests, they said, adding curfew came in force from midnight. This is probably for the first time that curfew is in place on the day of Eid festival ever since militancy broke out in the state in 1990. Helicopters and drones are keeping a bird’s eye vigil from the skies.
They will give early warning to security forces in case of assembly of people in certain areas, the sources said.
Security forces are out on the streets in adequate strength following apprehension of violence by the separatist elements, who often use women and children as “shields” during protest rallies resulting in civilian casualties.
Two youths were killed on Tuesday while several others were injured as fresh clashes broke out between security forces and stone-pelting protesters in Kashmir where authorities have imposed curfew in all 10 districts.
Soon after Eid prayers ended in Bandipora, a group of protesters started hurling stones at security forces who retaliated by firing tear smoke shells and pellet guns, a police official said. After battling for life for nearly three weeks, a constable of Jammu and Kashmir police, injured during an attack by militants on Independence Day, succumbed to injuries here this morning.
26-year-old Rouf Ahmad Bhat was shifted to AIIMS Trauma Centre from Srinagar on August 17 along with two CRPF personnel and had since then been on ventilator, state officials said.
A resident of Srinagar city, Bhat was operated on last night after his lungs developed a severe infection.
However, he developed a severe respiratory problem during the night and breathed his last at 5 AM on Tuesday, the officials said.
Bhat had sustained injuries in the terror attack in Srinagar’s Nowhatta area. CRPF’s Commanding Officer and two militants were killed while nine security personnel were injured when militants attacked security forces at Nowhatta in downtown Srinagar on the Independence Day.
Special Director General (Coordination and Law and Order) S P Vaid condoled Bhat’s death and said such supreme sacrifices by young boys will not go in vain. (PTI)