OCCUPIED SRINAGAR: Authorities lifted a curfew, here on Tuesday after 17 days of lockdown, but protesters continued to clash with police in the main city of Indian-held Kashmir following two weeks of deadly violence.

“There will be no restrictions in any part of occupied district Srinagar today on 26 July,” top administrative official Farooq Ahmad Lone said in a statement.

It was unclear whether the lifting of the curfew was simply a temporary move to allow angry protesters some release, or if the relaxation of restrictions would continue.

Hundreds of angry residents rallied in the city Tuesday to protest against Indian rule, shouting slogans for freedom and clashing with police who fired tear gas canisters to disperse them, a witness said.

Shops, schools and businesses remained shut in the city while vehicles were off the roads.-AFP

INP adds: Indian troops, in their fresh act of state terrorism, martyred four Kashmiri youths in Kupwara district on Tuesday.

The troops killed the youth during a siege and search operation in Nawgam area of the district.

Indian army claimed that the youth were militants and were killed in an encounter with the troops. One youth was arrested while an Indian soldier was killed in the same area.

Meanwhile, the occupation authorities continue to impose curfew and restrictions in the Kashmir Valley on the 18th consecutive day, today, to prevent people from staging demonstrations against the killing spree unleashed by Indian forces in the territory.

“Curfew shall continue without any relaxation in Islamabad, Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama districts while restrictions will remain in force in parts of occupied Srinagar, Sopore and Kupwara,” a senior police official told media men.