Violent Protests In Kashmir After Slain Militant Burhan’s Burial

Separatist leaders Geelani, Mirwaiz placed under house arrest, Yasin Malik arrested over threaten to lead march.

Protesters throwing stones on police vehicle during a protest following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani along with his two associates, in Srinagar on Saturday. (Photo Courtesy: PTI)

Three persons were killed and 50 injured in clashes in Kashmir between security forces and violent mobs who set ablaze five buildings including three police installations and some vehicles to protest the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen poster boy Burhan Wani in an encounter.

• Curfew-like restrictions imposed in many parts of Kashmir
  
• Mobile internet services suspended across the valley
  
• Mobile telephony services restricted in south Kashmir
  
• South Kashmir is the epicentre of the trouble
  
• Situation volatile , Amarnath yatra suspended from Jammu base camp
  
• No fresh pilgrims allowed to proceed towards the Valley on Saturday
  

Burhan’s funeral in Tral town was attended by thousands of people while violent protests were reported from a number of places from Khadinyar in north Kashmir to Kulgam in south, a day after the militant commander was killed.

A 25-year-old youth, Amir Bashir, was hit by a bullet allegedly fired by security forces on protesters in Verinag area of Anantnag district in south Kashmir, a police official said. The youth was shifted to a hospital but he succumbed to injuries on the way, he said.

Another youth was reportedly killed in similar circumstances in Qaimoh area late Friday night. Zubair Ahmad had multiple bullet injuries in his chest, a doctor at the Anantnag district hospital said on condition of anonymity.

A 16-year-old youth identified as Saqib Manzoor was declared “brought dead” by doctors at SMHS hospital where he was taken by some people with critical injuries sustained due to use of firearms, a police official said.

Besides these three deaths, there were unconfirmed reports that a youth drowned in a river at Ganeshpora as security forces chased a group of protestors. Police did not confirm the incident.

Police said over 30 other youth were injured in action by the security forces against the violent mobs at several places across the valley. However, sources in various hospitals of the city put the number of injured persons at around 50. Condition of the two of the injured was stated to be critical.

Widespread Arson & Violence

The protesters indulged in widespread violence and arson. They attacked police posts at several places and also damaged the office of the BJP in Kulgam area, police said.

The mobs set on fire police stations at Achabal and Damhal Hanjipora while a police post at Kund in Qazigung was also set ablaze. Two government offices were set on fire by protestors in Tral town of Pulwama district as well while three buses were also set on fire at Qazigund.

Don’t Mourn a Terrorist: Congress

Congress on Friday termed as “unfortunate” the protests in Kashmir over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, saying people should not mourn for militants who are responsible for killing hundreds of innocents.

As far as Burhan is concerned, he was a terrorist. There is no doubt that he was not an innocent and was a terrorist. It is unfortunate that people in Kashmir mourn when a terrorist dies. People should not condole the death of terrorists, who are responsible for killing hundreds of innocent people. 

Ghulam Nabi Azad, Senior Congress leader  

Video Editor: Sashant Kumar