Kashmir: Three protesters were killed on Tuesday in clashes between mobs and security forces in the Kashmir Valley, police said.
A 24-year-old youth identified as Shahid Ahmed was killed in Shotian district when a mob attacked security forces after Eid prayers. Jallaluddin, 45, died of a heart attack during a clash with police in Awantipora town of Pulwama district. Police said a tear smoke shell fired at the protesters abruptly dropped into the mosque where Jallaluddin died. Earlier, another youth, Murtaza, 25 was killed in clashes in Bandipora district.

Authorities have imposed curfew in all the 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley in a bid to prevent violence. No major Eid congregation was allowed anywhere.

“In my life of 70 years, I have never seen such a situation when you are facing curbs on Eid day. This is the most sacred day for us and on this day such helplessness, desperation and restrictions,” said Zarief Ahmad Zarief, a noted Kashmiri poet and social activist.

Eighty people have been killed and more than 10,000 injured in clashes between security forces and protesters that have raged across Kashmir since Burhan Wani, a 22-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist, was killed on July 8. The Army is on standby today and soldiers have been stationed at vantage points in rural areas which have a history of violent protests. Helicopters and drones have been deployed to spot trouble and give an early warning to security forces in case people gather.

Internet services have been shut down as has all mobile telephony except that of the state-run BSNL for the next 72 hours. “The PDP always loves to compare the situation with 2010 agitation but never ever has there been a curfew on auspicious occasion like Eid before,” said a spokesman of former chief minister Omar Abdullah’s National Conference.