11 killed in Valley clashes

Protest over Hizbul militant's encounter; 250 hurt

Eleven people were killed on Saturday as mobs clashed with security forces across the Kashmir Valley, a day after militant commander Burhan Wani was gunned down.

Over 250, including 96 security personnel, were injured, police said. IGP (Kashmir) Syed Javid Gillani told reporters eight civilians and three policemen were killed in the violence. Protestors attacked police stations and camps at various locations in the Valley and tried to take away weapons from security personnel on duty.

Gillani said the whereabouts of three policemen reportedly kidnapped by a mob were not known. However, late in the night,  officials confirmed that the three were killed and their weapons stolen.

Violence despite curfew

Reports said despite curfew and restrictions, violence broke out at several places in Kashmir as protesters attacked police installations and security personnel, and tried to set on fire the BJP office in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

Authorities have suspended mobile internet services across the Valley, while telephone services were restricted in south Kashmir. Trouble started on Friday night as arrangements were being made for Wani’s funeral at his native Tral, 35 km from Srinagar.

People defied curfew and turned out to catch a glimpse of Wani, considered the poster boy of the Hizbul Mujahideen terror outfit. A large number of people sustained bullet and pellet injuries during the protests, which continued late into the night.

The police picket in Vessu area of south Kashmir was also attacked. Mosques were reverberating with pro-freedom and pro-Wani slogans, reports said.

Defying curfew, thousands assembled at the ‘eidgah’ in Tral to catch a last glimpse of the tech savvy militant commander who died in a gunfight with security forces on Friday evening. Wani was buried around 5 pm on Saturday.

Officials said people took a detour to reach Tral as the main highway was barricaded.