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Fresh clashes in India-controlled Kashmir after teenager's killing

Xinhua, October 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

Fresh clashes broke out in restive India-controlled Kashmir Saturday after a teenager succumbed to his wounds in hospital, officials said.

Twelve-year old Junaid Akhoon was critically wounded after being hit by shotgun pellets fired by Indian paramilitary troopers Friday evening in Saidpora locality of Srinagar city, the summer capital of India-controlled Kashmir.

"A young boy today succumbed at the hospital here," a senior health official posted at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences hospital told Xinhua.

"He was shot by pellets in his head and chest."

Fearing backlash and clashes over the boy's killing, authorities on Saturday imposed curfew in Srinagar.

Hundreds of people took to streets in protest against Akhoon's killing and assembled outside his home shouting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans.

Soon after, the mourners marched with Akhoon's body towards the "martyrs graveyard" for burial, government forces fired tear smoke shells, shotgun pellets and warning shots to disperse them and prevent the procession from growing huge.

Locals said Akhoon was not part of any protest and was hit at the main gate of his house.

On Friday, many people were injured during dozens of clashes as civilians tried to march to the office of United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) in Srinagar in wake of separatist call.

Authorities had sealed all roads leading to the area.

India-controlled Kashmir has been witnessing protests since July 8, following the killing of a popular militant commander in a gunfight with Indian troops.

According to local media reports, clashes between civilian protesters and government forces have so far left more than 90 people, mostly young men and children, dead, besides over 12,000 others injured.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their Independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir. Endit