Thursday 17th Apr, 2025
Srinagar, August 18:(GNS) Clashes between youth and government forces erupted in Valley parts after Friday prayers against the recent militant killings while a complete shutdown was observed in Chadoora Town of Budgam district against the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen operational commander and long time militant Muhammad Yasin Yatoo.
According to GNS correspondent, intense stone-pelting clashes erupted outside Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta after Friday prayers. Scores of youths holding Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Toiba flags pelted stones on police and paramilitary in the area. The forces retaliated by firing teargas and pellets and also by chasing the youth who took shelter inside Jama Masjid and nearby by-lanes. As a result of clashes, shopkeepers downed their shutters in Jamia market.
Reports of clashes between youth protesters and government forces were also received from Apple Town Sopore in Baramulla district. Eyewitnesses said dozens of youth assembled in Sopore Town and pelted stones on police and CRPF after Friday prayers. The forces responded with teargas shells and pepper grenades. No one was reported injured in these clashes. Similar post-Friday clashes also erupted at Hajin township of Bandipora district.
Meanwhile, several thousand people took out a march from Chadoora after Friday prayers against the killing of Hizb operational commander Yasin Yatoo alias Mahmud Ghaznavi who was killed early this week in a gunfight at Awneer Shopian along with two other militants. Amid a complete shutdown, the people raised pro-freedom and anti-India slogans and marched throughout various localities of Chadoora upto the grave of Ghaznavi where they offered prayers. The march concluded peacefully.(GNS)