Curfew continues in IHK as toll mounts to 30

SRINAGAR (92 News) – Police in Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) say at least 30 people have been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces following the shooting of a well-known Hurriyet leader. More deaths were reported on Monday after a weekend of violence left 23 dead, including a policeman. The violence is the worst seen in the region for years. Some 800 extra troops are being sent to help restore order. More than 200 other people have been injured in the clashes, in which government forces have fired live rounds and tear gas. A curfew is in place across much of the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley after a police post was set alight and a military airbase targeted during the latest clashes. Protests erupted on Saturday over the killing of Burhan Wani, a charismatic young Hurriyet leader from Kashmir who was shot dead by Indian security forces the previous day. Tens of thousands attended Wani’s funeral march from 5am on Saturday in his hometown of Tral, despite police warnings to stay at home, and street protests quickly spread across the valley. In ensuing clashes, security forces fired live ammunition at protesters. Mobile phone networks have been shut down across the heavily militarized valley, while shops and offices are closed and public transport is suspended. Amid fears of further escalation on Monday night, a grenade attack injured three policemen outside Srinigar, and another officer was taken hostage by a mob demanding the release of three youths arrested earlier for stone-throwing.