Death toll in Kashmir clashes rises to 49; curfew continues

The death toll in the ongoing unrest in Kashmir on Sunday rose to 49 as one of the injured persons succumbed at a hospital here even as curfew in some parts and restrictions in rest of the Valley continued as a precautionary measure. Ishfaq Ahmad Dar (17), who was injured during clashes in Sopore town of north Kashmir's Baramulla district on July 23, succumbed at SKIMS Hospital Soura this morning, a police official said.

Dar had suffered critical injuries during clashes that erupted a day after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter on July 8. Curfew remained in force in five police station areas of the summer capital, Anantnag town, Pulwama town, parts of Baramulla town and Shopian town as restrictions on assembly of four or more people continued in entire Kashmir. "Curfew is in place only in five police station areas of Srinagar city -- Nowhatta, Khanyar, Batamaloo, Safakadal and Maharajgunj," he said.

Mobile Internet services continued to remain snapped in the Valley where the postpaid mobile telephone services have been restored across all networks. The incoming facility on prepaid connections has also been restored, but the outgoing calls are barred on such numbers.

Meanwhile, normal life remained paralysed elsewhere in the Valley for the 23rd consecutive day today in view of the strike call given by the separatist camp. The separatist camp has extended the shutdown call in Kashmir till August 5, calling for march to Hazratbal shrine on Friday.