Four injured in clashes, Pakistani flags hoisted in valley

Srinagar, July 18: At least four persons including two women were today injured in clashes that broke out between protestors and security forces in several areas of Kashmir soon after Eid prayers even as Pakistani flags were hoisted in several parts of the valley, police said.

A group of youth started pelting stones at police and paramilitary forces in Eidgah area of the city soon after the Eid prayers concluded, a police officer said. The miscreants were chased away by the personnel of the law enforcing agencies, he said.

However, the miscreants kept regrouping and pelted stones at police personnel, who responded by firing tear smoke shells, the officer said.

He said four persons including a woman, a teenage girl and a seven year old boy sustained injuries in the legs after getting hit by tear smoke shells.

Similar incidents of stone-pelting were also witnessed in Kothibagh area of the city but the police managed to restore order by chasing away the mob, the officer said.

A group of around 50 youth indulged in stone-pelting at Lal Chowk in Anantnag area of south Kashmir but were chased away by the police, he added. The officer said the Eid prayers passed off peacefully in rest of the valley.

Meanwhile, separatist supporters hoisted Pakistani flags during several protest rallies in Eidgah area and Sopore town of north Kashmir Baramulla district.

Reports of hosting flags of the neighbouring country were also received from many interior localities of the city and elsewhere in Kashmir.

PTI