Two youths were killed during clashes between security forces and protesters in south Kashmir on Saturday, taking the death toll in the ongoing unrest in the Valley to 78.

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Sayar Ahmad Sheikh was hit by a tear smoke shell in the head at Tukroo when security personnel were trying to disperse a group of stone-pelting protestors, a police official said. Restrictions are in place in the area under Section 144 of CrPC, which prohibits assembly of four or more people. The official said Sheikh was rushed to the sub-district hospital at Rajpora where doctors declared him brought dead.

Another youth, Yawar Bhat, died in security forces' action after protestors indulged in stone pelting at Botengoo in Anantnag district, the official said. Bhat sustained pellet injuries during the clashes, he said.

Several other persons were injured in the two incidents. Clashes were also reported from the old city area and Budgam district, where at least a dozen people have been injured, he said. The situation across the Valley continues to be tense, he added.

The current unrest entered its 65th day on Sunday.

Shops and business establishments are closed, even as preparations are underway for the Eid-ul-Azha which falls on Tuesday.

Clashes erupted in Srinagar following the death of a government driver, Abdul Qayoom of Alikadal area, in a hospital on Friday night. While, the family claims he had been beaten to death by the CRPF men on Friday, the police claimed that he was injured in a road accident.

Earlier, clashes also broke out Shopian where the protesters set ablaze a mini-secretariat building, injuring more than 80 people. The deadly violence is happening after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir on July 8, where several thousand of people have been injured.