Kashmir was today rocked by widespread mob violence and clashes which left 9 people dead and 126, including 96 security forces personnel, injured even as authorities imposed curfew-like curbs and suspended mobile internet services to contain the fallout of gunning down of militant commander Burhan Wani.
Three policemen were also missing after a large mob attacked a police station, set it ablaze and used its weaponary to shoot and injure three cops, police said.
Amid the protests, militants attacked a police station in Pulwama, which was thwarted by the security forces.
In view of the volatile situation, Amarnath Yatra was also suspended, with police saying it will be resumed "as soon as it is possible to ensure security of yatris".
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti appealed for calm while expressing "profound" grief and agony over the deaths during the protests and asked security forces to avoid use of disproportionate force for crowd control.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed "deep anguish" over the "loss of precious lives in the incidents of violence" in Kashmir and appealed for calm.
As Burhan, the 21-year-old 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 today," said ADGP (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.
Nine people were killed in the clashes between violent protestors and security forces at various places in the valley that erupted a day after Burhan's killing.
Eight were killed in "retaliatory" action by security forces, Sahai said, adding one person died due to drowning.
"It is very unfortunate that young lives were lost in clashes," Sahai told reporters and appealed to the parents to restrain their children from participating in such protests so that young lives are not lost.
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.
To a volley of questions, including why Burhan was gunned down and not caught alive, 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.
Mehbooba, while appealing for calm, said "violence only
brings miseries to the people and tragedies for the victim families".
She asked people, especially the youth "not to fall prey to the machinations of the vested interests, who play politics over the dead bodies of Kashmiris."
In a statement, the Chief Minister said, "I express profound grief over the tragic death of the youths and extend my heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family members in their hour of immense grief."
Mehbooba said disproportionate use of force for crowd control results in loss of precious lives and grave injuries which should be avoided at all costs.
She asked the police and the paramilitary forces to use Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) while dealing with protesters to avoid loss of precious human lives or injuries.
She also prayed for early recovery of the injured including civilians and the police personnel and asked health authorities to provide best possible treatment to them.
The protestors, who went on rampage in several areas, attacked police camps at Sangam, Larnoo, Seer, Gopalpora, Minority camp Mattan, Kokernag, Dooru and Janglat Mandi, police said.
"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 today," Sahai said.
There was also a militant attack in DPL (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.
"Last 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 BSF camp in Bandipora, a picket was set on fire, Sahai said, adding some of the security installations in CRPF camps were also set on fire.
"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.
