Clashes in several parts of Valley

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, October 28

While curfew was imposed in the areas falling under six police stations of Srinagar to prevent any law and order situation after Friday prayers, clashes between protesters and police erupted at some places across the Valley on day 112 of the current unrest today.

Stone-throwing incidents after Friday prayers were reported from Srinagar, Pulwama, Kulgam and Sopore while clashes between the protesters and police took place in the Soura and Batamaloo areas of Srinagar district and in Bandipora town of north Kashmir.

Intense clashes were also reported from north Kashmir’s Palhallan area soon after congregational Friday prayers ended as the protesters tried to march on the Srinagar-Baramulla highway.

Some miscreants lobbed a petrol bomb at the police and security forces deployed in the Pirchoo area of Pulwama district in south Kashmir today. However, no one was injured in the incident, the police said.

The authorities foiled separatists’ call for march to Jamia Masjid by imposing restrictions in the areas falling under five police stations of downtown—Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, MR Gunj and Safakadal—and the Batamaloo area in the uptown to prevent any law and order situation after the Friday prayers. “In view of ‘Jamia Masjid Chalo’ call given by some separatist organisations, restrictions were imposed as a precautionary measure in some parts of Srinagar,” a police spokesman said this evening.

The police prevented moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from marching towards the Jamia Masjid, where no Friday congregational prayers have been held since July 8.

“This is unfortunate that the interference in our religious affairs continues. For the 16th consecutive Friday, congregational prayers at Jamia Masjid have not been held, which amounts to hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims,” Mirwaiz told media.

PDP worker’s vehicle set ablaze  

Unidentified persons set ablaze the vehicle of a PDP worker, Umar Kumhar in Habba Kadal area in Srinagar on Friday evening. The incident took place in Chinkral Mohalla of Habba Kadal, in which the white coloured Ford Figo car was damaged, police sources said. TNS

Militants kill soldier, mutilate his body 

A soldier was killed in a gunfight close to the Line of Control in north Kashmir’s Machil sector in Kupwara district. A militant was also killed in the exchange of fire, the Army said. An Army spokesman said the encounter took place in the sector late Friday evening in which a soldier was killed. "In a despicable act, the terrorists mutilated the body of the soldier before fleeing to PoK," the spokesman said. The spokesman said militants were supported by covering fire from Pakistani army. "This barbarism is a true reflection which pervades official and non-official organisations across the border. This act will invite an appropriate response," he said. TNS

Woman shot dead

A 45-year-old woman was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in south Kashmir's Pulwama late on Friday. The police said militants fired upon Bebee, wife of Mohammad Yousuf Matoo of Naiana Batpora, Pulwama, at her residence. TNS