Youth dies in clash, militants attack forces in Pulwama

Srinagar, Aug 24 (PTI) On a day union Home MinisterRajnath Singh came here, a youth died today in a clash withsecurity forces while 18 security personnel, including threeofficers, were injured in a militant attack in Kashmir wherelife remained paralysed for the 47th consecutive day. Curfew was in force in parts of Srinagar and two othertowns even as restrictions and separatist-sponsored shutdowncontinued to paralyse life elsewhere in the valley. In a clash between stone-pelting mobs and security forcesin Pohu village of Pulwama district this morning, a youth dieddue to pellet injuries, raising the toll in the ongoing unrestin Kashmir to 66. "Aamir Bashir, who had pellet injuries in his chest, wasbrought to SMHS Hospital here but the doctors declared himbrought dead," a police official said. Several other persons sustained injuries in the clashes. Later in the day, militants targeted security personnelnear the Degree College in Pulwama town by hurling a grenadeand then firing. 18 security personnel, including a CRPFCommandant, an Additional SP and a DSP, were injured in theattack after which militants fled from the spot. District Magistrate of Pulwama Muneer-ul-Islam saidrestrictions will be imposed in all parts of the district from4.00 am tomorrow till further orders. "No person, except ill persons or otherwise allowed bythe Magistrates, shall be allowed to move," an order issued bythe District Magistrate said. Meanwhile, curfew was in force in five police stationareas of downtown Srinagar and Batamaloo and Maisuma areas inthe uptown, a police official said. In south Kashmir, curfew continued in Anantnag town andwas imposed in Pampore town today to maintain law and order. Yesterday, the authorities had lifted curfew from mostareas of Srinagar in view of the improving situation. However, restrictions on assembly of four or more peopleunder Section 144 of the CrPC continued in rest of the Valley. Due to the curfew, restrictions and separatist-sponsoredstrike, normal life remained paralysed for the 47thconsecutive day. Shops, private offices, educational institutions andpetrol pumps remained closed while public transport continuedto be off roads. The attendance in government offices andbanks was also affected, the official said. Mobile Internet also continued to remain suspended in theentire Valley, where the outgoing facility on prepaid mobilesremained barred. The separatist camp has extended the strike tillSeptember 1. PTI SSB MIJ AAR DV AKKAKK