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A youth was hit by a direct smoke shell injuring him critically in the day long police protestor clashes in north Kashmir's Sopore town. Police said eight persons including five cops were also injured in the clashes triggered by the drowning of a teenager in the town during Tuesday's clashes.
The town has been tense since yesterday after locals alleged that the youth, Zubair Ahmad Bhat jumped into the river Jhelum that passes through the town after being chased by the security forces who were trying to quell mob violence during Tuesday's shutdown called by the hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
The town which observed a complete shutdown against the death of the youth today witnessed violent clashes between the protestors and security forces who fired warning shots and used teargas and baton charges to restore order. A tear smoke shell hit a youth identified as Muntazir Bashir in the head on Wednesday afternoon and he had to be evacuated to capital Srinagar for specialized treatment.His condition is stated to be critical.
The town was rocked by a powerful hand grenade explosion late last evening that left two paramilitary central reserve police force (CRPF) troopers wounded. Police said militants tossed the grenade at a passing CRPF vehicle and also opened fire wounding two jawans who were taken to hospital for treatment.