Four killed as violence erupts in north Kashmir

After a week-long lull, violence erupted in north Kashmir today leaving four persons dead and 12 others injured when security forces allegedly opened fire on a stone-pelting mob that had attacked inspector general of police SM Sahai's convoy in Pattan area.

The police initially used batons to chase away a group of youths who had blocked the Srinagar-Baramulla National Highway at Palhalan in Pattan area, 30kms from Srinagar, the police said.

The protestors started pelting stones, leading to clashes between the two sides. Sahai, who took over as IG last week, was targeted by stone-pelters, prompting the security forces to open fire, they said. At least 16 persons were injured in the firing.

One of the injured, Feroze Ahmad Malik, died while being shifted to a hospital, Mohammad Ramzan Mir, Showkat Ahmed Mir, and Noor-ud-Din Tantray succumbed to injuries in different hospitals, they said. The condition of at least two of the injured is stated to be very critical.

A police spokesman said an inquiry has been initiated into the incident to fix responsibility.

"Senior police officers have taken a serious view of the firing incident and an inquiry has been initiated. Ammunition of the policemen is being checked to fix responsibility," the spokesman said, adding those found involved shall face action as per the law.

In other parts of the Valley, people thronged markets for the second day today to prepare for Eid-ul-Fitr to be celebrated later this week. The hardline Hurriyat faction led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani had called for a break in the ongoing agitation in view of the festivities.

While private and a few public transport vehicles plied since this morning, Srinagar city and other major towns of the Valley were agog with activity in the afternoon.

Schools and other educational institutions remained closed, while work in government and semi-government offices, banks, courts and other establishments was partially affected.

Traffic jams were witnessed at many intersections in the city as shoppers flocked to shops and bakeries.

With the fresh deaths, the toll in the ongoing turmoil, which began with killing of a 17-year-old youth during protests in Rajouri Kadal area of the city on June 11, in Kashmir valley has now gone up to 69.