OCCUPIED SRINAGAR: In occupied Kashmir, four people were killed and hundreds other were injured, many of them critically, due to the use of brutal force by forces on peaceful protesters across the territory.

Despite strict curfew and other restrictions, thousands of people took to the streets in occupied Srinagar, Badgam, Ganderbal, Pattan, Sopore, Baramulla, Palhallan, Langate, Handwara, Bandipora, Hajin, Kupwara, Kunanposhpora, Trehgam, Handwara, Islamabad, Kokernag, Achabal, Shangus, Qazigund, Veerinag, Bijbehara, Kulgam, Tral, Pulwama, Pampore, Awantipora, Khrew, Khudwani, Kiamoh, Shopian and other areas on Friday and shouted pro-freedom, pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans.

Fierce clashes were witnessed between the protesters and the forces’ personnel at many places. They also waved Pakistani flags.

Indian troops and police personnel fired bullets, pellets and teargas shells killing four protesters in different areas. Three people, Muhammad Maqbool Wagay, Zaghoor Ahmed and Sameer Ahmed Wani, were killed in different areas of Budgam and one Danish Rasool, at Sopore in Baramulla.

Indian police also fired teargas shells on the funeral prayers of Sameer Ahmed in which several people including his two sisters sustained injuries. Over four hundred demonstrators were injured in the brutal action of the forces. The condition of at least six injured is stated to be “critical” to “very critical.”

Reports said that as many as 50 people suffered eye injury on Friday alone.

Medical Superintendent SMHS Hospital, Dr Nazir Choudary, told media that 91 patients were received by the hospital.

The residents of New Colony Charar-e-Sharief told mediamen that the police and paramilitary personnel barged into the residential houses, thrashed the inmates, misbehaved with the women and tried to molest a young lady following protests in the area.—INP