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At least three youths were killed and two injured when security personnel fired on protesters when they came under heavy stone pelting in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag District on Tuesday. The victims were identified as Ishfaq Ahmed Khanday (15), Imtiyaz Ahmad Itoo (17) and Shujatul Islam (19). Soon after the deaths, fresh violence erupted in the valley. At least 8 youths have been killed in firing in the valley over the last five days. Earlier, on Monday, two youths were killed in two different incidents of violence, when security forces opened fire to disperse mobs indulging in stone pelting in Baramulla and Sopore Districts. Police had identified the two as Tariq Ahmed Rather, 20, and Tajamul Ahmad Bhat. Rather was part of a mob proceeding towards Sopore, which was intercepted by the security forces. He succumbed to bullet injury while being taken to Baramulla hospital. Bhat was killed in firing as an agitated mob flouted curfew restrictions in Sopore. He succumbed to bullet injury at the Sopore hospital. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier asked Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram to help end violence in the state. Expressing concern over civilians becoming victims of police action in the Kashmir Valley, Abdullah invited Chidambaram to visit the state. Both Chidambaram and Abdullah agreed on the need to bring an immediate end to the cycle of violence.

Kashmir violence claims three more youths