Clashes mark Wani's death anniversary amid security lockdown in Valley

Srinagar, July 8 (IANS) Clashes took place at over a dozen places between protesters and security forces on Saturday on the first death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahedin militant Burhan Wani, but no major incident of violence was reported from the Kashmir Valley that was under total security clampdown with internet services blocked.

Authorities had imposed curfew in old city area of Srinagar and in Burhan Wani's native town Tral, while restrictions were also imposed in almost all the district headquarters in the Valley where the paramilitary CRPF and police in full riot gear patrolled the areas.

Clashes between stone pelters and security forces broke out in Mehjoor Nagar of Srinagar, Shopian town, Palhalan town in Baramulla district and in Tral in Pulwama.

Over two dozen stone pelters were arrested by security forces. No report of any serious injury to any stone pelter or security personnel was reported form anywhere in the Valley.

Three soldiers were injured in Hajin area of Bandipora district in the morning when militants attacked a patrol vehicle of the army.

The area was surrounded for searches and the injured soldiers were shifted to hospital.

There was complete shutdown across the Valley as shops, other businesses and public transport remained shut.

Even private transport remained off the roads in Srinagar and other district headquarters.

Internet services on both mobile and fixed landline remained suspended for the second day while broadband speed was curbed.

All separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, were placed under house arrest. JKLF chief Yasin Malik remained under preventive detention in Srinagar Central Jail. He was arrested three days ago.

The Amarnath Yatra was also suspended.

Train services between Baramulla and Bannihal town were suspended.

All exams scheduled for Saturday by the University of Kashmir were cancelled.

Given the massive unrest triggered last year due to Wani's killing, authorities had beefed up security to ensure that the situation remains under control.

Nearly 100 civilian protesters were killed and over 200 lost vision partially or completely due to pellets fired by the security forces during the 2016 unrest.