12 DEAD, 70 INJURED IN KASHMIR'S WORST DAY OF VIOLENCE

Twelve persons including a cop were killed and 70 others wounded in the worst day of widespread violence even as strict curfew continued without any break for the second day in capital Srinagar and other major towns on September 13. The news of the desecration of the Holy Qur’ān in America added to the tension in the already volatile situation across the Valley. A senior police officer said paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF) troopers opened fire after mobs pelted stones at a passing convoy in Ajas village of north Kashmir Bandipore district resulting in the death of a 22-year youth, Nissar Ahmad Bhat. Another youth, Riyaz Ahmad who was critically wounded in the firing was evacuated to hospital for treatment. Three persons were killed on the spot and 16 others were wounded in the security force firing. The injured were evacuated to hospital for treatment. Condition of four injured persons is stated to be critical. Thousands of protestors in various areas of central Kashmir Budgam district and in capital city took to streets shouting anti-US slogans.