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Eleven people were killed and 200, including 96 security forces personnel, were injured on Saturday as mob violence and clashes rocked Kashmir over the gunning down of militant commander Burhan Wani even as authorities imposed curfew-like restrictions and suspended mobile internet services to contain the volatile situation.
Amarnath Yatra was also suspended in view of the worsening situation, with police saying it will be resumed "as soon as it is possible to ensure security of yatris".
As Burhan, the poster boy of Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit, was laid to rest in his native place Tral, violent mobs attacked installations of police and paramilitary forces at various places in the valley and set ablaze several buildings including three police installations, as a result of which three cops were missing.
Burhan's funeral was attended by thousands of people. There was no deployment of security forces in Tral and adjoining areas to avoid a confrontation with the people coming to participate in the funeral.
"We have had a very difficult day," said Additional Director General of Police (CID) of J&K Police S M Sahai while describing the situation "bad in certain segments", "not critical" in areas like north Kashmir and under control in Srinagar.
The militants are trying to "superimpose their attacks" on public protests, he said while informing that there was also a militant attack on District Police Lines in Pulwama which the security forces thwarted.
The camps at Sangam, Larnoo, Seer, Gopalpora, Minority camp Mattan, Kokernag, Dooru and Janglat Mandi were also attacked by the protestors, he said.
"It is very unfortunate that young lives were lost in clashes," Sahai said while addressing a press conference on the situation. He appealed to the parents to restrain their children from participating in such protests so that young lives are not lost.
Replying to a volley of questions, including why Burhan was not caught alive instead of being gunned down, Sahai said, "We certainly don't want to kill youngsters of our own society."
He said the Hizb commander and two others got killed when security forces retaliated after being fired upon by the trio from a house in which they were hiding. Two security personnel were injured in that firing, he added.
"The funerals became an issue today and in the background of the funerals, there were several attempts at various locations particularly on security forces establishments, police stations, other government buildings houses of politicians, army camps. These were attacked at many isolated locations also which led to a very critical situation in which there have been eight casualties," Sahai told media persons.
There was also a militant attack in District Police Lines Pulwama which was warded off.
The police officer said a mob attacked police station Damhal Hanjipora and it was burnt down, adding the weapons that were snatched from the police station were used to fire upon the police personnel.
"We did try to show restraint. They took 20 of our policemen hostage, three of them got bullet injuries while three of them are still missing," he said. Sahai said 96 security forces personnel and around 30 civilians were injured in the clashes during the day.
The police official said the incidents of arson and stone-pelting took place on Achabal police station, in Kokernag, where a house of the MLA was burnt down, and Kund, Qazigund, on a minority camp in Vessu.
"On Friday night, we have had a very extensive attack on the Haal minority camp. The CRPF came under attack there and some of the abandoned houses were also set on fire," he said.
Violent incidents of arson and stone-pelting were also reported from Awantipora, Pulwama, Bomai, Sopore, Baramulla, Palhallan, Delina, Gantamullah, Sheeri, Kreeri, Lalpora, Bandipora, Narbal, Lasjan, Barzulla, Nowgam, Tengpora and Batamaloo. At many places, the mobs forcibly tried to enter the security force establishments.
In the Border Security Force camp in Bandipora, a picket was set on fire. Some of the security installations in CRPF camps were set on fire, Sahai said.
He said the killings were unfortunate and it was sad that lives were lost.
"Looking at all the multiple attacks that took place at various locations, the consequence of which is unfortunate. We are very sad that these lives were lost, but there is a particular requirement that the camps could not have been over run and the arms and ammunition taken away the way it happened in Damhal Hanjipora," he said.
Apart from that, there is report of about 96 security personnel and police personnel who have been injured in the attempt to tackle the situation, he said.
With inputs from Mukhtar Ahmad. Graphic: KBKGraphics