Kashmir unrest, day 91: Curfew in Srinagar as 13-year-old dies in pellet gun firing, hundreds protest

Srinagar: The death toll of the Kashmir unrest, which has been prolonged for three months now, has increased to 91 as yet another youth succumbed to his injuries after a clash which took place on Friday night.

The unrest in Kashmir claimed its 91th victim with a 13-year-old boy succumbing to head injuries late yesterday. 

Police said Junaid Ahmad Bhat was injured badly after security forces used tear gas shells and pellet guns to break up a protest in Srinagar’s Saidpora area of the old city earlier in the day. Junaid, however, was not part of the protests, police sources said.

Junaid was admitted to Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in a serious condition. He died at Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Soura today.

Hundreds of people took to the streets in protest against his death after his body was brought to his home, shouting slogans against the government.

The situation in Srinagar continues to be tense ion Saturday with most of the old city areas under curfew.

On Friday, authorities had imposed curfew in many parts of Srinagar including Khanyar, Rainawari, Nowhatta, Safakadal, Maharaj Gunj, Maisuma and Batamaloo to thwart a protest march called by separatists towards United Nations office in the city.

Strict restrictions have been imposed in some parts of Srinagar after the death of Baht in areas falling under Maharaj Gunj, Nowhatta, Rainawari, Safa Kadal, Khanyar police stations of the old city and Maisuma and Kralkhud police stations in uptown.

Meanwhile, shutdown continues for 92nd day which has crippled the life of local residents.

“The restrictions were also imposed in Sonwar to prevent people from marching towards UN office,” said a police official.

Vehicular and pedestrian movement towards the UN office in Sonwar was also restricted.

The Kashmir valley is also on high alert after India carried out surgical strikes on terror launch pads on September 29 across the Line of Control (LoC) on September 29.

Villages on the bordering areas are being evacuated and locals are being moved to safer locations. The valley has been boiling after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8.