SRINAGAR: Dozens of persons including several security force personnel were injured in fresh clashes in Kashmir today even as the death toll in the ongoing unrest rose to 51 after a youth hit by pellets was found dead outside a hospital here.
Authorities also extended curfew to more areas of the Valley as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order but the orders were defied at many places including Chattabal area of the city — the native place of Reyaz Ahmad, who was killed last night allegedly by security forces.
Clashes between protesters and security forces were reported from many parts of the Valley with Kulgam district in south Kashmir witnessing large-scale violence that left dozens of persons including several security personnel injured.
Unofficial reports put the number of injured at 70 but a police spokesman refused to comment on the matter.
The body of Ahmad, an ATM security guard, which bore a big perforation in the abdomen, was found outside SMHS hospital, a police official said.
He said initially it was not clear how the youth had been killed but an X-ray of the body showed presence of more than 300 pellets inside it.
The death of the youth led to protests in Bagiyas and adjoining areas early this morning, he said.
Police has registered a case under section 302 RPC (murder) against unknown security force personnel and started investigation into the case as there were no reports of any clashes last night in the area where the youth was found dead, the official said. (AGENCIES)
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