Paramiltary personnel patrol a street during curfew in downtown Srinagar on Wednesday. afp

Majid Jahangir & Suhail A Shah

Tribune News Service

Srinagar/Anantnag, July 13

One youth was killed in fresh firing while another succumbed to his bullet injuries at a hospital today, taking the toll in the Kashmir unrest to 34.The killing took place in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district despite a fall in the level of protests and clashes across Kashmir.It took place a day after Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tried to reach out to the Valley and made a televised appeal for peace and calm.Hilah Ahmed Dar (22) was shot dead by forces at Hernag in Anantnag during clashes in the town, eyewitnesses said. The killing sparked fresh protests and clashes in the area.Earlier the day, Javid Ahmad (23) of Qaimoh in Kulgam district of south Kashmir succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS in Srinagar. He had received bullet injuries two days ago.The body of another youth, Zahoor Ahmed of Kakpora in Pulwama, who drowned on Saturday while he was allegedly being chased by security forces, was fished out at Awantipora in south Kashmir today.There were reports of clashes between security forces and protesters at over a dozen places today. A police spokesman said the situation in the Valley remained under control though some incidents of stone-throwing were reported.The spokesman said militants fired at a police officer when he was on way to duty in south Kashmir. “Early today, militants fired upon the vehicle of an SDPO at Zainapora in Shopian. There was no loss of life or injury in the incident,” he said.At least 1,500 persons, mostly youths, had been injured in clashes in the Valley following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani last week.A majority of the injured had been hit by bullets and pellets above the abdomen, causing grievous injuries and probably lifelong disability.At least 340 injured civilians, most of them wounded by bullets and pellets, had been admitted to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital here.There was a lull in clashes today, but several areas, including volatile parts of south Kashmir, old Srinagar and some towns in north Kashmir, remained under strict curfew for the fifth consecutive day.The Srinagar-Anantnag highway remained closed and there was no vehicular movement due to clashes at various places. Vehicles could move during night.Mobile internet services and train services in Kashmir remained suspended for the fifth consecutive day.Roads and Buildings Minister Abdul Rehman Veeri, camping in Anantnag, said the situation was improving.While life continued to remain adversely affected for the fifth consecutive day, separatists extended the shutdown call by two days up to Friday.

Kashmir simmers

• At least 1,500 persons, mostly youths, have been injured in clashes in the Valley since the killing of Hizb commander Burhan Wani last week.
• At least 340 injured civilians, most of them wounded by bullets and pellets, have been admitted to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital in Srinagar
• The Srinagar-Anantnag highway remains closed. Internet services and trains in Kashmir remain suspended for the fifth consecutive day.