Updated

Srinagar, Jul 9 (PTI): Nine people were killed and 126, including 96 security forces personnel, were injured today as mob violence and clashes rocked Kashmir over the gunning down of militant commander Burhan Wani even as authorities imposed curfew-like restrictions and suspended mobile internet services to contain the volatile situation.

Amarnath Yatra was also suspended in view of the worsening situation, with police saying it will be resumed "as soon as it is possible to ensure security of yatris".

As Burhan, the poster boy of Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit, was laid to rest in his native place Tral, violent mobs attacked installations of police and paramilitary forces at various places in the Valley and set ablaze several buildings including three police installations, as a result of which three cops were missing.

Burhan's funeral was attended by thousands of people. There was no deployment of security forces in Tral and adjoining areas to avoid a confrontation with the people coming to participate in the funeral.

"We have had a very difficult day today," said ADGP (CID) of J&K Police S M Sahai while describing the situation "bad in certain segments", "not critical" in areas like north Kashmir and under control in Srinagar.

Nine people were killed in the clashes between violent protestors and security forces at various places in the valley that erupted a day after Burhan's killing. Eight of them were killed in "retaliatory" action by security forces, Sahai said, adding one person died due to drowning.

The militants are trying to "superimpose their attacks" on public protests, he said while informing that there was also a militant attack on District Police Lines in Pulwama which the security forces thwarted.

The camps at Sangam, Larnoo, Seer, Gopalpora, Minority camp Mattan, Kokernag, Dooru and Janglat Mandi were also attacked by the protestors, he said.

"It is very unfortunate that young lives were lost in clashes," Sahai said while addressing a press conference on the situation. He appealed to the parents to restrain their children from participating in such protests so that young lives are not lost.

Replying to a volley of questions, including why Burhan was not caught alive instead of being gunned down, Sahai said, "We certainly don't want to kill youngsters of our own society."

He said the Hizb commander and two others got killed when security forces retaliated after being fired upon by the trio from a house in which they were hiding. Two security personnel were injured in that firing, he added.

Earlier Update

Violence erupts in Kashmir, BJP office in Kulgam attacked

Srinagar, Jul 9 (PTI): Violence broke out at several places in Kashmir today as mobs attacked police posts, security personnel and BJP office in Kulgam to protest the death of Hizbul Mujhaideen poster boy Burhan Wani in an encounter.

11 persons including three policemen have been injured during the clashes. Groups of youths pelted stones at police posts and police stations at Bandipora, Qazigund and Larnoo in Anantnag district, a police official said.

Violent protests were also held in Mir Bazaar and Damhaal Hanjipora in Kulgam district and Warpora in Sopore township of Baramulla district.

The police picket guarding minority community in Vessu area of south Kashmir was also attacked, the official said. He said a mob also attacked BJP office in Nilo-Bugam area of Kulgam district and damaged the building.

Stone pelting incidents were also reported from Sheeri, Kreeri, Delina, Pattan and Palhalan areas of north Kashmir's Baramulla district, the official said, adding Barsoo and

Shariefabad in Awantipora area of south Kashmir also saw violent protests. He said "so far 11 persons including three policemen have received injuries during the clashes which were going on when reports last came in".

Minor protests were also reported from several parts of the city, he added. Curfew-like restrictions were imposed in parts of Kashmir, including Srinagar city, and

Amarnath yatra suspended as authorities had apprehended protests in the Valley, where tension prevailed following the killing of Wani yesterday.

Mobile internet across Kashmir has been suspended while mobile telephony services have also been restricted in south Kashmir.

Top separatists leaders who had called for a strike were put under house arrest as a precautionary measure.

Earlier Report 

Hizbul leader killing: Amarnath Yatra suspended, curfew in Pulwama

Srinagar, Jul 9 (PTI): Authorities today suspended the Amarnath yatra from Jammu base camp due to apprehensions of law and order problems in Kashmir Valley following the killing of top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani and his two associates in an encounter with security forces yesterday.

"The Amarnath yatra has been suspended from Jammu base camp. No fresh pilgrims will be allowed to proceed towards the Valley today," a police official said.

Though the yatra will continue from Pahalgam and Baltal base camps in Kashmir, the pilgrims would be advised to stay put at these camps till further advisory on their movement is issued, he said.

The steps have been taken in view of tension in the Valley following the killing of 21-year-old Wani, considered as a 'poster boy' of Hizbul Mujahideen terror group for wooing Kashmiri youths to militancy, in Kokernag area of south Kashmir Anantnag district yesterday.

The official said a decision on resuming the Amarnath yatra from Jammu will be taken after assessing the situation in the Valley.

Wani in his video message last month had assured that his outfit will not harm any Amarnath pilgrim as "they are our guests". His video message had come in response to a senior security force official claiming that militants might carry out attacks on Amarnath pilgrims.

Till last evening, 1,03,063 pilgrims had 'darshan' of the ice lingam at the cave shrine of Amarnath. On the sixth day of Amarnath yatra, 15,593 people paid obeisance at the holy cave yesterday.

The yatra will conclude on August 17.