Curfew to be imposed in Kashmir amid tension over killing of Hizb militant, Pak asks UN to intervene

The government will impose curfew in seven police station areas of Srinagar on Sunday as a pre-emptive measure to prevent spread of violent protests which took place on Saturday, following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Sabzar Ahmad Bhat in an encounter with security forces in Pulwama.

"Curfew will be imposed tomorrow in seven police station areas of the city as a precautionary measure," Farooq Lone, district magistrate, Srinagar told PTI.

He said the curfew will be imposed in Khanyar, Kralkhud, Maharaj Gunj, Maisuma, Nowhatta, Rainawari and Safakadal.

Lone also said that educational institutions in the city will remain close on Monday.

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"The admit cards of students appearing in CET and other competitive examinations tomorrow will be treated as curfew passes. The staff posted as invigilators can use their identity cards for reaching the centres and back home," he added.

Meanwhile, the authorities in Ganderbal district have imposed restrictions on movement of people under Section 144 (Power to issue order in urgent cases of nuisance of apprehended danger) of CrPC.

Sabzar Bhat was killed on Saturday in an encounter in Tral area of Pulwama district.

Violent protests broke out in several towns of the Kashmir Valley after the news of Bhat's killing spread. Bhat, who had succeeded Burhan Wani, was killed along with another militant.

Soon after the killings, protests started at around 50 places, including Tral in Pulwama and Khanabal in Anantnag in south Kashmir, the police said.

On the other hand, the Indian Army said that as many as 10 militants have been gunned down in Kashmir since Friday after it stepped up its counter-insurgency operations in the Valley. 

"Relentless operations by security forces have defeated desperate attempts by Pakistan and Pakistan-sponsored agents to spread terror in the state in the run up to the holy month of Ramzan," the defence spokesman of the Northern Command said.

Pakistan asks UN to intervene

Meanwhile, Pakistan approached the United Nations and the international community to stop the violence in the Kashmir Valley.

In a statement, Pakistan's foreign office said the Prime Minister’s adviser on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz has expressed grave concern at the constant ceasefire violations by Indian forces at Line of Control.

Aziz accused India of making attempts to discredit the Kashmiri indigenous movement. He also alleged that India was trying to change the demography of Kashmir to convert the majority Kashmiri into minority territory, which Pakistan has brought to the attention of the UN.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unflinching support for Kashmiris in their struggle for the right to self-determination.

(With inputs from PTI)