Daily Times

SRINAGAR: Four people were killed and hundreds of others were injured in fresh violence in Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) after Friday prayers taking death toll due to ruthless aggression of the Indian forces to 68.

Despite curfew and other restrictions, thousands of people took to the streets in Srinagar, Badgam, Ganderbal, Pattan, Sopore, Baramulla, Palhallan, Langate, Handwara, Bandipora, Hajin, Kupwara, Kunanposhpora, Trehgam, Handwara, Islamabad, Kokernag, Achabal, Shangus, Qazigund, Veerinag, Bijbehara, Kulgam, Tral, Pulwama, Pampore, Awantipora, Khrew, Khudwani, Kiamoh, Shopian and other areas on Friday and shouted pro-freedom, pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans. They also waved Pakistani flags. Fierce clashes were witnessed between the protesters and the government forces at many places.

Indian troops and police personnel fired bullets, pellets and teargas shells, killing Muhammad Maqbool Wagay, Zaghoor Ahmed and Sameer Ahmed Wani in different areas of Budgam. One youth was killed at Sopore in Baramulla.

Indian police also fired teargas shells on funeral prayer of Sameer Ahmed in which several people including his two sisters sustained injuries.

Over four hundred demonstrators were injured in brutal use of force, with six of them in life threatening situation. Reports said that as many as 50 people suffered eye injuries on Friday alone.

Dr Nazir Choudary, medical superintendent at SMHS Hospital, told media that 91 patients were received by the hospital. Of them, 50 have eye injuries while three are in critical condition, he said.

Police also fired teargas shells at hospitals in Srinagar, Khansahib, Chadoora and Kangan, and resorted to vandalism, besides thrashing medical staff and patients’ attendants.

Residents of New Colony Charar-e-Sharief told newsmen that police and paramilitary personnel barged into residential houses, thrashed inmates, misbehaved with women and tried to molest a young lady following protests in the area.

With these fresh killings, toll in the ongoing Kashmir violence rose to 60 with over 70,000 injured so far.

The Himalayan territory has spiralled into unrest with almost daily anti-India protests and clashes since the killing on July 8 of popular young freedom fighter Burhan Wani in a gunfight with Indian soldiers.