PHOTOS: Curfew in parts of Kashmir; 22 injured in clashes

At least 22 persons including 18 security men were injured in widespread clashes in Kashmir despite imposition of curfew in capital Srinagar's old city and three major towns on Wednesday.

Internet services, which had been snapped on Tuesday, were restored on Wednesday evening in the Valley.

Following the killing of the 24-year old student in north Kashmir's Baramulla town Tuesday in alleged firing by the army, the authorities placed the town under curfew and deployed police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force troops in strength in the town.

Please ...

The killing of Tahir Ahmad Sofi allegedly in unprovoked firing by the army triggered anger across the Valley which was already simmering after the hanging of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru in New Delhi's Tihar jail last month.

Though the authorities placed the entire old city and Sopore in north and Kulgam town in south under curfew on Wednesday morning, widespread clashes erupted which continued throughout the day.

A senior police officer said the security forces used tear smoke and baton charges to control the situation in the capital city and other towns.

He said that in the day-long clashes 22 persons including 18 police and CRPF troopers were injured. The injured include a deputy superintendent of police.

Please ...

A police spokesman said on Wednesday evening, "In Sopore stone pelting was reported from Chankhan, Arampora, Hathishah and Sangrama areas. According to the district police administration, 10 policemen, five CRPF men and a stone pelter were injured."

The Valley witnessed yet another shutdown today, the third in a row even though no organisation had called for Wednesday's strike.

Shops, businesses and public transport remained shut affecting attendance in government offices and banks.

Please ...

An ambulance driver of a government hospital and a doctor were allegedly roughed up by cops which triggered clashes in the curfew-bound old city.

Police said curfew restrictions will continue in old city parts of Srinagar and Baramulla town on Thursday.

The killing of Sofi again figured in the in-session state assembly with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party staging a walkout.

...