IHK in lockdown amid Wani’s anniversary tensions

HELD SRINAGAR: Indian authorities imposed a lockdown in the held Kashmir valley Sunday, anticipating fresh unrest as separatists urged protests to mark the anniversary of a popular freedom fighter commander Burhan Wani’s death.

Tension had been building ahead of the anniversary with three civilians, including a teenage girl, killed during clashes on Saturday between protesters and Indian troops.

Mobile internet services were shut down across Indian Held Kashmir (IHK), roads into the restive valley were blocked and restrictions on movement were imposed in Srinagar.

Authorities have clamped a total curfew in Tral, the native home of freedom fighter commander Burhan Wani.

The charismatic young leader’s death in 2016 sparked months of violent street protests that left nearly 100 dead and countless more blinded by pellet fire following an Indian crackdown. Separatist leaders urged shopkeepers to keep their businesses closed in protest to mark Wani’s death.

India has about 500,000 soldiers deployed to its half of Kashmir, where armed groups have for decades been fighting for independence or a merger with Pakistan.