Kashmir Burns as Unrest Intensifies, Death Toll Rises to 66

Shabir Ahmad Moonga, 30, was killed in Khrew area of Pulwama district on Wednesday. The image is used for representational purposes. (Photo:AP)

With one more civilian’s death in Kashmir, the toll in the ongoing unrest rose to 66, officials said on Thursday.

Police said the victim identified as Shabir Ahmad Moonga, 30, was killed in Khrew area of Pulwama district on Wednesday night when security forces clashed with a protesting mob.

Locals, however, alleged security personnel beat up Moonga without any provocation.

Authorities continued with curfew and restrictions for the 41st day on Thursday as the protest shutdown called by the separatists also continued.

For the first time since the ongoing cycle of violence started in the Valley on 9 July following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Burhan Wani, authorities imposed night curfew in Srinagar district.

Seeing the situation spiral out of hand, the United Nation’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, appealed to both India and Pakistan, on Thursday, to grant his team access to Jammu and Kashmir as well as Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

However, amid the unrest, the 48-day Amarnath Yatra that started on 2 July is will conclude on Thursday.

This year, 2,20,339 pilgrims performed the Yatra despite the violence in Kashmir.

(With agency inputs)