Srinagar: Strict curfew continued on Monday in most parts of the Kashmir Valley following heightened tension over the death of 23 people during protests against the killing of a top Hizbul commander, Burhan Wani.
The victims comprised 22 protesters and a police driver. Six people including a teenage girl succumbed to injuries they sustained in clashes on Saturday.
An angry mob heaved a police vehicle into the Jhelum near Sangam, drowning its driver Afroz Ahmed.
Militants also fired at a police constable, Abdul Gani, in Tral, wounding him while a DSP's vehicle was fired at by terrorists in Pulwama. The DSP escaped unhurt. Four CRPF jawans were injured in a grenade attack.
The clashes took place with security forces, mostly in Anantnag, Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama districts.
Amarnath Yatra also remained suspended for the third day owing to the unrest in the valley in which over 200 people, many of them police and security personnel, have been injured.
No yatri was allowed to move towards the Kasmir Valley from winter capital Jammu to perform the Amarnath Yatra for the third consecutive day on Monday, police said.
"No Yatri will be allowed to move towards the Valley from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu city today," a senior police officer said.
"The Yatra has been suspended due to the prevailing law and order situation in the Valley," he added.
An officer of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) that manages the affairs of the annual pilgrimage told IANS that 8,611 pilgrims had "Darshan" at the holy Cave Shrine on Sunday.
Around 15,000 yatris are waiting in Jammu for their turn to proceed to the Valley so that they can undertake the Yatra.
Shabir Ahmad, the first victim from Srinagar succumbed to bullet injuries late Sunday evening,
Kashmir Valley erupted in anger on Saturday after security forces shot dead Burhan Wani, a top leader of the Hizbul Mujahideen, along with two of his associates on Friday. His funeral was attended by thousands.
Three policemen taken hostage by angry mobs in south Kashmir on Friday, returned back safely, but their weapons were seized, police said here on Monday.
Four police stations, 36 civil administration offices and dozens of vehicles were destroyed by unruly mobs.
A total of 102 civilians and 100 security personnel were injured in the bloody clashes.
All senior separatist leaders including Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, were placed under arrest by the authorities while the state government on Sunday requested them to help normalise the situation.
It is feared if things are not quickly brought under control, Kashmir could be in the throws of another bloody unrest when in 2010, 112 protesters died in clashes with security forces.
The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, met and expressed anguish over the situation and the death of civilians in clashes with security forces following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.
The government promised to investigate if there was any instance of disproportionate use of force by security forces even as it appealed to the people not to become tools in the machinations of instigators of violence.
The Cabinet also appealed to separatists, including Hurriyat Conference, as well as mainstream political parties like National Conference, Congress and CPI(M) to help restore normalcy "if they want peace in the state".
In Delhi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the situation that has developed in Kashmir and spoke to Mehbooba Mufti, assuring her of all possible help.
