Ahead of all-party team's visit, teen killed in clashes in Kashmir

When Kashmir was looking forward to a political initiative, a 15-year-old boy was killed and five others injured in clashes between security forces and protesters in Sopore area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district, taking the death toll in the ongoing unrest in the Valley to 70.

Elsewhere, protesters torched the guardroom and house of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Rajya Sabha member Nazir Ahmed Lawey and decamped with four rifles of security guards in Hanad Chawalgam village of South Kashmir's Kulgam district.

Divisional commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan said a mob of more than 900 people attacked an army convoy at Ladoora, Rafiabad and amidst the stone-pelting some fires were shot on the army convoy which was on its way to Kupwara.

"The army convoy fired a few rounds in the air to disperse the mob. In the incident, four persons were injured. One of the injured, identified as Danish Manzoor Lone of Nadihal, later succumbed to his injuries. Police have initiated an investigation into the matter," Khan said.

Local residents, however, rubbished the government claims saying the stone-pelting erupted in the area after the forces denied the passage to the fruit-laden trucks in the area.

Tension gripped the area after the killing of the teenager. Shouting pro-freedom slogans, people marched through the streets with Danish's body for last rites.

With his killing, the death toll has climbed to 70 in the current unrest that started after the killing of Hizbul Mujhadeen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani at Bamdoora village of south Kashmir's Anantnag district on July 8.

Police sources said protesters torched the residential house of PDP Rajya Sabha member Nazir Ahmed Lawey at Hanad Chawalgam village of South Kashmir's Kulgam district. The mob also set ablaze the security barrack and decamped with three INSAS and one SLR riffles of the guards.

Lawey and his family were not present in the house when the attack took place. A massive manhunt has been launched to arrest the persons responsible for the incident.

Protests and stone-pelting incidents were reported from different parts of the Valley in which more than 100 people are said to have suffered injuries.

Divisional commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan said curfew has been completely lifted from all the areas of the Kashmir Valley following improvement in the situation.

"Curfew has now been lifted from entire Kashmir. Increased movement of vehicular traffic and public was today witnessed in almost all towns, major areas and Srinagar city as well. Barring stray stone pelting incidents the situation remained peaceful across the valley," Khan said.

The fresh bout of violence comes at a time when Centre is starting a major political initiative by sending an-party delegation to the Valley on Sunday.

The Centre is also reported to be working on Track II front to reach out to the people in the Valley. Sources said the initiative may take shape during the visit of all-party delegation.

However, Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), a conglomerate of Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani, moderate leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF leader Mohammad Yasin Malik who are supervising the current agitation, has called for occupying Airport road, Lal Chowk and district headquarters for two days from Saturday in a bid to block the visit of all-party delegation.

"Protest with flags, banners and placards with messages We Want Freedom and Go India Go Back. Play Islamic and azadi taranas in mosques throughout the day, especially along the Srinagar Airport road," said the JRL spokesman.