Srinagar, June 29
With violence spreading to south Kashmir, at least three youths were killed and five injured allegedly in firing by the CRPF during clashes in Anantnag town today.

Several persons were injured in a series of clashes between the youth and the security forces (the police and the CRPF) in several localities of Srinagar and elsewhere in Sopore and Baramulla towns of north Kashmir. Restrictions were imposed under seven police stations of Srinagar city, in addition to Sopore and Baramulla towns on the first day of separatists’ bandh call for two days in protest against the recent killings.

With three deaths today, the total number of persons killed in the recent violence following the death of two militants in an encounter in Sopore on Friday morning has gone up to eight.

Those killed in Anantnag today were identified as Ishtiyaq Ahmad Khanday, Imtiyaz Ahmad Ittoo and Irshad Ahmad Bhat. The trouble started when youth took to streets in Mattan Chowk of Anantnag town this morning and started hurling stones. Two youths were injured in subsequent firing. They were shifted to various hospitals.

Demonstrators again indulged in stone-throwing on the KP road in Anantnag town in the afternoon. Residents alleged the CRPF men opened fire and targeted residents in their houses and shops. Ishtiyaq Ahmad Khanday and Imtiyaz Ahmad Ittoo received bullet injuries. They were shifted to the district hospital, where they died. Another seriously injured person, Shujatul Islam, was shifted to the SMHS hospital where he died in the afternoon.

Defying curfew restrictions, demonstrators indulged in stone-throwing in Sopore and Baramulla towns of north Kashmir. Similar incidents were also reported from Delina locality of Baramulla district (where a nine-year-old boy was killed in the clashes yesterday) and several areas of Srinagar city even as restrictions were imposed in the areas under seven police stations of Nowhatta, Khanyar, M R Gunj, Safakadal, Rainawari, Noorbagh and Batamaloo. Other troubled areas were Hyderpora and Solina on the airport road, Maisuma, Bemina, Batamaloo, Zainakote and other localities.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has deputed a high-level team of ministers to take stock of the situation in Baramulla and interact with members of civil society to restore peace and normalcy in the district.

The team comprised Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir, Adviser to the Chief Minister Mubrak Gul and Minister of State for R&B Javid Ahmad Dar.

The team would invite suggestions from members of civil society, senior citizens, besides holding discussions with the district administration to take measures to restore normalcy in Baramulla, Sopore and adjacent areas.