Militants open fire in Sopore, curfew continues in Valley

SRINAGAR - Two policemen were injured in two separate attacks by militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore town, while an indefinite curfew continued in Srinagar and other major towns of the Kashmir Valley Friday, officials said.

“Militants fired at the State Bank of India building in Sopore town late Thursday, injuring one policeman. In another incident, militants fired at a police vehicle in the same town early Friday and the driver was hurt,” a senior police officer said.

“Both have been shifted to hospital and doctors say they are out of danger,” he added.

Curfew continued for the third day in all areas of Srinagar city, Sopore, Ganderbal, Handwara and south Kashmir’s Anantnag, Pulwama, Kakpora and some towns along the Jammu-Srinagar highway.

“Restrictions have been imposed in other towns like Baramulla, Qazigund, Bijbehara, Kangan as well,” another officer said.

“The situation is being closely monitored. A decision about relaxating the curfew would be taken after reviewing the situation later,” he added.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has convened an all-party meeting here Monday to discuss the situation in the state.

The army was requisitioned by the civil administration for assistance here Wednesday, a day after widespread violence in the city following the recovery of a teenager’s body, who relatives allege had been forcibly drowned by security forces during clashes.

Three more people, including a 25-year old woman, were killed in Tuesday’s violence.

The army carried out flag marches at many places in the city in the last two days here.