Two more killed in Kashmir firing, toll eight

SRINAGAR - Two people, including a 17-year-old teenager, were killed when security forces opened fire on a mob that attacked a police station in south Kashmir’s Pampore town Sunday. The deaths take the toll in police firing on stone-pelting protesters to eight since Friday.

The law and order situation in the Valley has deteriorated in the last three days with violent protests rocking most cities and towns and mobs attacking police stations, police camps, vehicles on the highways and also beating up trapped securitymen.

As news of the deaths spread, protesters attacked and burnt the office-cum-residence of a revenue official in the town, looted arms from the guardroom of a local court, assaulted a police official and burnt a police vehicle, a senior police official said here.

The officer said hundreds of violent protesters attacked the Pampore police station, 14 km from here, in Pulwama district, with rocks and stones.

“After tear smoke shells and baton charges failed to bring the situation under control, security forces opened fire in which seven persons were injured. One critically injured protester, identified as Nayeem Ahmad Shah, 26, was immediately shifted to Srinagar for treatment where doctors pronounced him dead,” the officer said.

Another critically injured protester, identified as Rayees Ahmad Wani, 17, succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

Additional security forces have been rushed to the spot, where thousands gathered to offer funeral prayers for the victims.

“The situation is extremely tense in Pampore town,” the police officer said.

Mobs have blocked the Jammu-Srinagar national highway at Galandar, Frastabal, Barsoo, Kadlabal and Pampore by felling trees and erecting obstructions.

Two people each were killed in north Kashmir’s Sopore and Pattan towns when security forces opened fire on violent protesters Friday. Two more protesters were shot dead Saturday in north Kashmir’s Baramulla and Bandipora districts.