5 injured in firing by security forces in curfew-hit Jammu and Kashmir

At least five persons, including a minor, were injured in alleged firing by security forces in Sopore even as situation in the valley remained by and large peaceful with curfew remaining in force for the ninth day today in all major towns of Kashmir.

The police resorted to firing when a group of youths defied curfew and indulged in stone-pelting at Natipora in Sopore, 55km from Srinagar, in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, this afternoon, official sources said.

Two of the injured identified as Rameez Ahmad Bhat (22) and Junaid Ahmad (13) were brought to SMHS hospital here with bullet wounds in their back. "The injured are being operated upon by the doctors and their condition is critical," hospital sources said.

Officials said locals of Natipora staged a violent protest against the killing of 25-year-old Mubeena, who was hit by a stray bullet inside her house last evening while police was chasing a crowd.

Barring Sopore, situation in the Valley remained by and large peaceful with minor incidents of protests reported from Khannabal and Sagam in Anantnag and Muran in Pulwama districts of South Kashmir, the officials said.

As hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani has asked people to stage a march to the local office of United Nations Military Observers Group (UNMOG) at Dalgate in Srinagar today, the security forces strictly implemented the curfew to thwart any attempt by separatists to go ahead with their plan.

Geelani's Hurriyat is spearheading the ongoing unrest in the Valley which started with the killing of a teenager on June 11 by police in downtown city and had so far left 103 people dead allegedly in security forces firing.

Curfew was imposed in Srinagar on September 12 and was extended to entire Kashmir valley next day following widespread violence. Barring phased relaxation in the city on Saturday, the authorities are implementing the curfew strictly in view of the tense situation.

The curfew coincided with the two-day visit of the all-party delegation led by home minister P Chidambaram.

The curfew passes were not honoured by security personnel deployed along Srinagar-Airport road this morning but later the restrictions were eased after the VVIPs passed through the area.

A police spokesperson said "strict curfew" restrictions remained in place in the city and other major towns of the valley.

Besides Srinagar city, there were also strict curfew restrictions in Budgam district town along with Warpora, Mirgund, Nadirgund, Choon, Humhama, Wattdara, Gagoo, Ompora, Narkara, Shiekhpora, Galwanpora, Chadoora, Panzan, Nagam, Machawa, Kralpora, Wathora, Dawlatpora, Hassipora, Alamdar Colony, and Charar-i-Shrief, Ganderbal district town and nearby Kangan.

Anantnag district town along with Mattan and Bijbehara, Kulgam district town and Qoimoh, Pulwama district town, Tral, Awantipora, Lethpora, Pampore and Kakapora, Shopian district town, Baramulla district town and Delina, Kunzer, Tangmarg, Pattan, Singhpora, Sopore, Ladoora and Rafiabad, Kupwara district town, Kralpora, Trehgam, Handwara, Chotipora and Kulangam, Bandipora district town and Sumbal in Bandipora district were also under strict curfew, the spokesperson said.