Srinagar : Curfew restrictions continued to remain in force for the eighth successive day and normal life paralyzed for the 14th day in Kashmir valley, where one more person succumbed to his injures today, taking the number of people killed in clashes since July 9 to 48. Protests broke out in the valley after the killing of top Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two other militants in an encounter with security forces on July 8 in Anantnag district.
Meanwhile, curfew restriction continued in majority towns and tehsil headquarters in south Kashmir, Shehar-e-Khas (SeK) and downtown besides parts of civil lines in Srinagar for the 14th successive-day today. Official sources said today that curfew restrictions continued to remain in Kashmir valley, where separatist have extended the strike till July 25 and urged people to organise peaceful protest after today prayers. They said the decision to continue curfew was taken as precautionary measure to maintain law and order in view of the stone-pelting incidents across Kashmir valley yesterday and protest call by separatists.
Meanwhile, the situation continues to remain tense in the valley, where a 22-year-old youth identified as Ishfaq Ahmad, who was injured in security force firing in Anantnag district recently, died in the S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) this morning. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti yesterday visited south Kashmir, which is a stronghold of ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to offer personal condolences to the families of youth killed in recent law and order situation in the twin districts of Anantnag and Kulgam.
South Kashmir’s Anantnag is the worst hit district in terms of loss of lives in the recent unrest in the valley, where cellular services continued to remain suspended for the 9th consecutive day today. Only BSNL postpaid mobile phones are working in the valley. Mobile internet services have already been suspended in Kashmir valley since protests broke out on July 9 following the killing of Burhan.(UNI)