Teenager martyred in fresh Occupied Kashmir clashes

SRINAGAR: A teenager was shot dead in Indian Occupied Kashmir on Wednesday as thousands of protesters engaged in fresh clashes with Indian security forces after weeks of deadly violence.

Indian troops fired live rounds as residents demonstrated against an earlier raid by soldiers searching for protest leaders in the northern village of Nadihal, a police officer said on condition of anonymity.

"The boy died in the firing. Five other protesters also received bullet injuries," the officer said.

Locals said the victim was aged 18.

Protesters also clashed with Indian troops who fired shotgun pellets and tear gas in other areas of the northern Himalayan region including in the main city of Srinagar, another senior police officer and witnesses said.

"We have reports about 50 protesters were injured in Anantnag, mostly with pellets," the police officer said.

Indian authorities reimposed a curfew in parts of the occupied territory on Monday after briefly ending a 52-day lockdown. The restrictions were reimposed after thousands of protesters across the region took to the streets.

Schools and businesses remained closed and many streets in Srinagar were largely deserted as Indian troops in riot gear patrolled on foot.

The current violence, the worst to hit the region since 2010, was triggered by the July 8 killing of popular leader Burhan Wani at the hands of Indian soldiers.

At least 70 civilians have been killed and thousands injured in the worst violence to hit the occupied territory since 2010.