Srinagar:
9 policeman had a close shave in Pattan, in Baramulla district, when stone-pelting protestors set fire to their police station. The trapped policemen were recued by reinforcements that arrived in the nick of time.
As fresh violence erupted in the Kashmir Valley after days of relative calm, security forces opened fire to quell stone-pelting protesters, leaving at least three persons dead and 50 others injured.
Authorities imposed strict restrictions on the movement of people following a call by the separatists to march to Maisuma in the heart of Srinagar in protest against the killing of youths allegedly in firing by security forces.
Two people were killed security forces allegedly opened fire on a mob at Arampora village of Sopore, in Baramulla district of north Kashmir this afternoon.
Security forces said the people took to streets shortly after Friday prayers and were heading towards Sopore town when the security forces intercepted them and asked them to disperse. However, the protesters turned violent and indulged in stone-pelting on a CRPF picket. The security personnel opened fire, resulting in injuries to seven persons who were rushed to hospital.
The clashes come nearly 10 days after a person was killed and another injured in police firing a mob which turned violent following recovery of the body of a boy who had drowned in Jhelum river in Baramulla district.
The trouble started in Srinagar early today when security forces allegedly opened fire on a stone-pelting mob at old Channapora in uptown Srinagar, seriously injuring two youths.
The clashes soon spread to the adjoining localities, including Rambagh and Barzulla on Srinagar-Airport road, as people defied restrictions and indulged in violence.
Police and CRPF personnel fired dozens of warning shots as teargas shelling and baton charge proved ineffective to restore order, police said, adding three more persons were injured and were undergoing treatment in various hospitals.