16 cops among 20 hurt in north Kashmir clashes; curbs continue for 2nd day

As many as 20 persons, including 16 policemen, were injured in clashes that took place in some Shia-dominated areas in Bandipora’s Sumbal in north Kashmir over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in US-Israeli airstrikes.

Dr Syed Idrees Ahmad, Block Medical Officer, Sumbal, said the hospital in Sumbal received 20 injured, including 16 policemen. “Most of the injuries were minor in nature. We referred only two injured civilians to Srinagar for specialised treatment,” he said.

Sources said that protesters clashed with security forces in areas located in Sumbal subdivision — which also borders Baramulla district.

Restrictions remained in place for the second consecutive day in parts of Kashmir even as fewer protests were reported from some places on Tuesday.

Kashmir had witnessed massive protests with thousands of protesters—most of them from the Shia community—taking to the streets in parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday and Monday after Iran confirmed Khamenei’s death in the strike.

Clashes were reported at a few places in Srinagar on Monday after mourners were stopped from marching towards Lal Chowk, which became a focal point during Sunday’s massive spontaneous protests across Jammu and Kashmir. Over a dozen people, including policemen, have been injured so far in the clashes in Srinagar.

Subsequently, authorities imposed restrictions to curb people’s movement, shut down education institutes and throttled mobile internet speeds in the Union Territory as precautionary measures. Sources said the situation remained peaceful in most parts, including Srinagar.

Heavy deployment of police and central armed police forces continued in several parts of the Valley on Tuesday. In Srinagar, which saw heavy clashes on Monday, the city hub, Lal Chowk, remained sealed with barricades.

J&K Police sources said the situation is being “monitored continuously.” Sources also said that restrictions are likely to continue on Wednesday.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, the authorities in J&K announced that schools and colleges would continue to remain shut till March 7 in Kashmir valley. “All schools and colleges of Kashmir Division remain closed till March 7,” J&K Education Minister Sakina Itoo said on X. Sources said that the decision was taken as a precautionary measure.

The Jammu and Kashmir’s Home Department has also temporarily suspended prepaid mobile Internet services, while reducing the speed of post-paid mobile data across the Kashmir valley till March 4, according to an order.