Kashmir unrest continues: 2 killed in fresh protests soon after Eid prayers; toll climbs to 78

Two youths were killed on Tuesday while several others were injured as fresh clashes broke out between security forces and stone-pelting protesters in Kashmir where authorities have imposed curfew in all 10 districts.

Soon after Eid prayers ended in Bandipora, a group of protesters started hurling stones at security forces who retaliated by firing tear smoke shells and pellet guns, a police official said.

He said 20-year-old Murtaza Ahmed was hit by a tear smoke shell resulting in his death. Several others were injured in the security forces' action in Bandipora town.

Clashes were also reported from South Kashmir after a youth, Shahid Ahmed, was killed during fresh protests at Bonpora in Shopian district, another police official said.

With these deaths, the toll in the ongoing agitation in Kashmir has risen to 78.

Despite strict curfew, protests erupted after Eid prayers across Kashmir. Protests were also reported from the Sopore area in which one woman was critically injured. 

According to the reports, people defied the curfew and staged pro-azadi protests at different places. Protestors turned violent at some places and clashed with the security forces.

For the first time in many years, authorities on Tuesday imposed curfew in all 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley on Eid even as helicopters and drones have been pressed into service for surveillance.

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Restrictions on assembly of large number of people have been imposed in view of the call by separatists for a march to the local offices of the United Nations on Tuesday, coinciding with the global body’s Opening of 71st Session of the UN General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York. 

The Army, which has been asked to be on standby, will step in if there is fresh outbreak of violence in the Valley, which has been witnessing widespread unrest for over two months leading to death of over 75 people so far, official sources said.