Two killed in J&K protests, situation tense

SRINAGAR: Two youths were killed as security forces opened fire on agitated mobs indulging in heavy stone pelting in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla and Sopore districts, police said.

According to police, Tariq Ahmed Rather, 20, was killed at Delina locality outside Baramulla town Monday afternoon when a mob proceeding towards Sopore was intercepted by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the state police.

The security personnel opened fire as the mob started throwing rocks and stones at them. Rather succumb to bullet injury while being taken to Baramulla hospital, a police official said.

Sopore is 14 km from Baramulla.

Earlier in the day, another youth was killed in firing as an agitated mob flouted curfew restrictions in north Kashmir's Sopore town.

A senior police officer said the victim was identified as Tajamul Ahmad Bhat, son of Bashir Ahmad Bhat of Wadoora in Sopore.

Bhat succumbed to bullet injury at Sopore hospital, sources said.

Heightened tension continued for the fourth day in Sopore, where authorities had imposed curfew last Friday after two youths were killed as CRPF personnel fired at an irate mob that attacked and torched their vehicle.

Another youth was killed in Sopore late Sunday as mobs defied the curfew restrictions in the town.