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Pakistan summons Indian envoy over situation in Kashmir

Protesters in nearly all the major towns of Kashmir threw stones at security forces, and police guard rooms and outposts were attacked at Gadbugh, Batnag in Tral and Pulwama.

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The violence has led to the suspension of a popular Hindu religious pilgrimage to the Amarnath temple shrine, which has stranded some 15,000 devotees in the neighbouring region of Jammu, Indian media reported.

Paramilitary troops and police in riot gear were patrolling villages and towns on Tuesday.

At the same time, separatists have extended their call for a shutdown by two more days till July 13. At least 24 people have been killed in the forces firing on civilians. One policeman was also killed in mob violence.

Doctors and government officials said they were struggling to care for hundreds of civilians who have been admitted to hospitals with bullet and pellet wounds.

Around 300 people have been injured, including almost 100 police, and hospitals say they are overwhelmed.

He said a detailed statement on the situation was expected to be issued later day.

“We fear if the BJP has taken the right decision by giving Mufti the reigns of the state looking at her past record”, it said.

UN Secretary-General Ban ki-moon has called on all parties in Indian-held Kashmir to exercise “maximum restraint” and address the tense situation there through peaceful means.

India maintains over half a million soldiers in IHK. Kashmir is about 70 percent Muslim.

Both India and Pakistan claim all of Kashmir as their own, while each administers a part of the mountainous region.

The two countries have fought three wars – in 1948, 1965 and 1971 – since they were partitioned in 1947, two of which were fought over Kashmir. Many resent the deployment of hundreds of thousands of Indian troops, and openly voice support for rebels who have been fighting since the 1990s to demand independence or a merger with neighboring Pakistan.

Kashmir separatist groups are house arrested by the state authorities after the killing of Burhan Muzaffar Wani.

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The security forces have been under attack after Wani was killed in an encounter. The curfew like restrictions remained in force in several sensitive areas in south, north Kashmir and Srinagar parts.

Minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju slammed Pakistan for accusing India of human rights violations in Kashmir