Strike hits normal life in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Normal life in Kashmir valley was disrupted on Friday following strike call given by several militant outfits to protest the alleged custodial death of top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Saiful Islam and US-led war on Iraq.
Shops and business establishments remained closed while attendance in government and semi-government offices was thin.
Official sources said schools, colleges and educational institutions also remained closed due to the strike call given by Hurriyat Conference and supported by several other outfits including Jaish-e-Mohammad and Jamiatul Mujahideen.
Skeletal transport services plying early in the day were forced off the road by stone pelting mobs at several places in the city, the sources said.
According to reports reaching here, the effect of strike was quite visible in other district headquarters of the valley with Shopian township, the hometown of slain Hizb commander, observing a complete shutdown.
Separatist organisations have alleged that the militant was arrested and later killed in custody by security forces.