Two teenagers among five killed in Kashmir

Kashmir remained on the boil on Sunday as five people, including two 17-year-olds, were killed and 25 others injured in separate incidents of violence. The killings took the death toll in the Valley to 13 since Friday.

Afroza Bano, a 17-year-old girl, was killed in Khrew in Pulwarna district when security forces opened fire at an angry mob, which had unsuccessfully tried to set a police post ablaze.

Six people were critically wounded in the evening when explosives stored in another police post went off after it was set on fire by a mob.

Policemen were involved in a fierce battle with the mob before army troopers arrived at the spot. They took the policemen away, leaving the post unmanned, sources said.

The mob then set the post on fire and entered the store room in the rear of the complex. “The police store explosives meant for stone quarries in the room,” said a senior police officer. “At least four or five people are dead and 20-25 injured. We are trying to ascertain the details.”

Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah appealed to everyone — civilians, political leaders, including separatist leaders, and the media — to help the government restore peace and normalcy.

“The prevailing situation in the Valley is worrisome. Some anti-social elements are hell-bent on fomenting trouble, mayhem and bloodshed to satiate their political designs. We should not provide any opportunity to the anti-social elements who want to build their castles with the blood of innocent youth,” he said.