Kashmir continues to remain tense after overnight clashes

Jammu: The situation in Kashmir continues to be tense on Wednesday, a day after three teenagers were killed in police firing in Anantnag. A curfew-like situation persists in Srinagar and thousands of CRPF jawans and state police personnel have been deployed to maintain calm.Curfew is still in place in most areas including Anantnag and Baramulla in the wake of overnight clashes. There were protests through the night in south Kashmir. In Anantnag town, two police posts, a government building and over a dozen vehicles were set on fire.
The number of civilians killed in police and CRPF firing in the last two weeks has risen to 11.
Among the civilian casualties on Tuesday were three teenagers. Ishtiyaq, a class tenth student, 17-year-old Imtiyaz who was working at a baker's shop in Anantnag and Sajjad were killed in firing in Anantnag during protests over the recent civilian deaths in the Valley. Security forces claim firing began after they came under heavy stone throwing by protesters at a demonstration. It was not clear whether it was the police or the CRPF that fired at the protesters.It was the second incident of firing in Anantnag on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, the CRPF opened fire on a protest demonstration, injuring 15-year-old Ashiq Ahmad. He received bullet injuries in his leg. "I had gone to get roti from a baker when they fired at me,'' said Ashiq.Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday made an emotional appeal for peace vowing to ensure return of normalcy soon and slammed anti-national and vested interests for instigating violence.