Srinagar:
Protesters today tried to set an Army school on fire in Kashmir's Bandipora district, which has seen massive protests since yesterday over the death of two young men in Army firing. There have also been protests in other parts of Kashmir and separatists have forced a shutdown in the Valley with a
bandh call today.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police said a small fire broke out inside the Army-run Goodwill School in Hajan but fire tenders managed to douse the flames. The protesters also smashed windows and furniture in the school.
Yesterday, protests erupted in Bandipora after the killing of Irfan Nabi, who was in Class 12, and another young man named Tariq Ahmad. A case of murder has been registered against the Army by the police over the firing incident. The Army has begun an inquiry and has expressed regret at the death of the two men.
Schools, colleges, markets, other businesses and public transport have been closed today in capital, Srinagar, and other parts of the Valley. Private transporters are running skeletal services on city roads. However, government offices, post offices and banks are open.
There are elaborate security arrangements in place all over J&K.
Political parties like the ruling National Conference, the opposition People's Democratic Party and the Congress have condemned the killing of the two young men and condoled their death. They have also slammed the Army.
In Pulwama district of south Kashmir today, a policeman was killed and two other security personnel were injured in an encounter with militants.
The encounter took place at Tral during a counter-insurgency operation launched by the security forces following information about the presence of militants in the area, a police spokesman said.
A policeman and a CRPF jawan were injured in the exchange of fire with the militants, the spokesman said.