Times of India, SRINAGAR :Eight protesters were killed on Saturday in clashes between security forces and violent mobs in the Kashmir valley following the death of top Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Muzaffar Wani in an encounter, police said. At least 90 people, including security personnel, were injured. Burhan Wani and two of his associates were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Anantnag district on Friday. The protesters indulged in widespread violence and arson. They attacked police posts at several places and also damaged the office of the BJP in Kulgam area, police said. The mobs set on fire police stations at Achabal and Damhal Hanjipora while a police post at Kund in Qazigung was also set ablaze.Stone-pelting incidents were also reported from Sheeri, Kreeri, Delina, Pattan and Palhalan areas of north Kashmir Baramulla district, the official said, adding Barsoo and Shariefabad in Awantipora area of south Kashmir also saw violent protests. Authorities on Saturday suspended mobile internet services in Kashmir Valley to check spreading of rumours by anti-social elements following the killing of Burhan Wani by the security forces.Besides, the authorities also imposed restriction in the entire district of Pulwama and in the towns of Ananatnag, Shopian, Pulgam and Sopore, officials said.In Srinagar, restrictions have been imposed in areas falling under seven police stations which include Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, MR Gunj, Safakadal, Maisuma, Kralkhud. All school board exams scheduled for the day have been postponed. Train services from Baramulla in Kashmir region to Banihal town in Jammu have also been suspended. In view of the volatile situation, Amarnath yatra has also been suspended from Jammu base camp with no fresh pilgrims allowed to proceed towards the valley on Saturday.”No yatri was allowed to move from Bhagawati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu city towards the valley due to prevailing tension following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani,” a senior police official said.”The situation will be reviewed later. Till then the Amarnath Yatra shall remain suspended.”The annual Amarnath Yatra was proceeding normally so far and over 80,000 pilgrims have had ‘darshan’ of the ‘Lingam’ inside the cave shrine in kashmir Himalayas.Meanwhile, separatist groups have extended the strike call in Kashmir till July 11. In a statement, moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq appealed to the people to observe complete shutdown on July 10 and 11. Wani was buried on Saturday in his home village Tral in Pulwama district in the presence of 20,000 people whodefied curfew. Thousands of people joined funeral prayers of Burhan who was laid to rest on Saturday afternoon in his native village of Tral. There was no deployment of security forces in Tral and adjoining areas to avoid a confrontation with the people coming to participate in the funeral.
