Three protesters killed in Kashmir, toll 68 (Third Lead)

SRINAGAR - Three protesters, including a 16-year-old teenager, were killed Monday in firing by security forces - the first fatalities after a week of relative peace - and more then 10 others injured during clashes in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. With these deaths, the toll in the ongoing unrest in the Valley since June 11 has risen to 68.

“A teenaged protester identified as Showkat Ahmad, 16, was killed and over 10 injured when security forces opened fire at a highly agitated stone-pelting mob at Palhalan village today (Monday),” a senior police officer said here.

Two of the injured who sustained bullet injuries were taken to a hospital in Srinagar for specialised treatment. One of them, identified as Mohammad Ramzan Mir, 35, succumbed to his injuries on the way. Later the death of another injured protester, identified as Noor Din Tantray, was announced.

In the wake of the firing incident in Palhalan village, situated 35 km from Srinagar on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, a large number of people blocked the traffic on the highway.

Tensions have also mounted in Pattan town and other adjacent areas in the wake of the teenager’s death.

Last Monday 11-year-old Irshad Ahmad Parray was killed when security forces fired rubber bullets at a huge mob of stone-pelters attacking the Sherbagh police post in Anantnag town.

Meanwhile, markets, transport and other business establishments opened up in Srinagar city and other parts of the valley in the afternoon following appeals by hardline separatist leader, Syed Ali Geelani who modified his protest calendar in the light of the Shab-e-Qadr, the holiest night according to the Muslim belief falling Monday.