SRINAGAR (DNA) – A youth embraced martyrdom in Baramulla town and eight other Kashmiris sustained critical wounds by Indian forces in occupied Kashmir as India blatantly continues to impose stringent curfew and communications blackout across the Kashmir valley on the 17th consecutive day on Wednesday in a bid to prevent people from holding demonstrations against India’s move of abrogating their special status in the Constitution.

The youth was killed during an all-out operation jointly launched by Indian Army’s Rashtriya Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force and Special Operation Group in Kakarhamam area of the town. The operation, launched on Tuesday evening, was ongoing till last reports came in.

At least eight protesters sustained critical wounds as Indian paramilitary forces fired pellet guns and tear-gas shells as youths in groups came out of their houses in Srinagar and other places to stage anti-India demonstrations. The injured protesters were shifted to hospitals in Srinagar. An official confirmed that at least two dozen stone pelting incidents took place in different areas of the Kashmir valley.

Meanwhile, an Indian police officer was killed and a constable of Special Operation Group (SOG) was injured in an attack in Baramula town.

Indian troops also launched a similar operation in Pulwama area where youth also came out of their houses and clashed with the troops.

On the other hand, at least 40 people were arrested during house raids by Indian troops in different areas of Srinagar city.

In another development, Indian police arrested three Kashmiri youth from Pulwama district in Chandigarh city of India and were interrogated by a joint team of Indian crime branch and Operations Cell.

In several places, Kashmiris have defied stringent curfew and other restrictions and took to the streets in Srinagar to protest against the Indian occupation and atrocities after Modi-led Hindu nationalist government revoked of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

All TV channels, landline and cellular phones and internet services are snapped cutting the links of Kashmir with the rest of the world since Narendra Modi government scrapped the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on 5th August.

Markets and shops are closed while transport is off the roads since then. Local journalists complain that Indian forces do not allow them to perform their duties.

Since August 4, the Modi-led Hindu nationalist government has been seeking to tighten its grip on the region.

Indian paramilitary personnel have been raiding on the houses, harassing women and detaining people to spread fear for silencing protests for independence.

According to reports, more than 4,000 people have been arrested by Indian forces.