Death toll rises to 27 in Kashmir Valley

SRINAGAR - At least four people, including a youth, were killed here on Tuesday in clashes between protesters and security personnel, thereby taking the death toll in the Kashmir Valley to 27.

The 16-year-old youth died in a hospital this evening after being wounded in the massive explosion on Sunday at the Khrew police post in Pulwama.

Curfew remains enforced in all ten districts of the valley, with security forces maintaining a close and strict vigil to contain the disturbances.

Reports said that residents of the Qamarwari area in downtown Srinagar defied the curfew and took part in several demonstrations. They refused to heed security forces demands to disperse.

This resulted in security forces firing on them. Twenty-five-year-old Mehraj Ahmed Lone was killed and three others were injured. In a separate incident, a stone-pelter identified as Anis Khurshid was killed when security forced opened fire to disperse protestors in the Eidgah area, police said.

In Budgam, two persons were injured in security-related firing and have been hospitalised, police said.

Meanwhile, the Centre has decided to send 1900 paramilitary personnel to the valley, while another 3,200, currently based in the state, will be redeployed in trouble-torn areas.

The additional forces are being sent following a request from Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to the Centre to help tackle the situation in the Valley politically, rather than economically.

Official sources said 19 companies ( of 100 personnel each) of Central paramilitary forces will reach Kashmir Valley within a day or two from outside the state.

32 companies (3,200 personnel) currently posted in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir will be redeployed in the trouble-torn districts of Kashmir.

On Monday, seven persons were killed as police opened fire to disperse the mobs who defied curfew and attacked police stations and CRPF camps in the Valley.

Abdullah chaired a meeting of the Unified Command here yesterday and reviewed the measures in place to tackle the situation.

There are reports of the protests spreading to Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts of Jammu.

The demonstrators are blocking the national highway at intervals, leaving the travelling public stranded. (ANI)