Toll in clashes over Koran desecration talk touches 18

Protests spread to Muslim-dominated areas of Jammu on Tuesday after 18 people were killed and over 200, including security personnel, injured on Monday in clashes between police and agitators over the alleged shredding of the Koran in the US.

Curfew was imposed in the entire Valley, but that did not deter protesters who took on security forces at a number of places.
Thousands took to the streets and staged a demonstration in Kishtwar district of Jammu in the morning against the alleged desecration of the Koran. Shouting anti-US slogans, they clashed with police who used smoke shells to curb violence.

Protestors set ablaze two government Gypsies and a two-wheeler parked at the forest department office in Poonch. They also damaged fire tenders.

Police said a mob defied curfew at Khanpora in Baramulla district and indulged in heavy stone-pelting. “A mob attacked the battalion headquarters of the security forces in Zainakot, on the outskirts of Srinagar. In retaliatory action, a miscreant was hurt,” police said.

Three policemen, including a station house officer, were injured trying to foil an attempt by miscreants to set the municipality slaughterhouse in Handwara on fire. “In stone-pelting incidents, eight miscreants and seven policemen were injured,” police said.
Meanwhile, for the first time since the 1999 Kargil war, the Srinagar airport has been shut for renovation and flights are operating from the air force airport at Awantipora.