Srinagar,
A complete shutdown was observed on Monday across the Kashmir valley in response to the three gunfights on Sunday in which 20 people, including 13 militants, died.

The markets across all districts of the Kashmir valley remained shut and roads were deserted as public transport came to a halt in the region. The schools and colleges also remained closed.

The three gunfights in south Kashmir’s Anantnag and Shopian districts left 13 militants, four civilians and three soldiers dead and sparked protests. The Sunday death toll was one of the highest in recent years and left the region’s residents in shock.

The authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar city and in parts of north and south Kashmir districts to prevent deterioration of the law and order situation.

The funeral of at least five militants, who were killed in a gunfight at Kachdoora village of Shopian, was held at their native villages leading to more protests in the south Kashmir district.

In Srinagar, an association of traders and businessmen held a protest against the killings in Shopian. Independent legislator Engineer Rasheed along with his workers also held a protest and shouted slogans against the incident.

The mobile Internet services, which were suspended across the Kashmir valley immediately after the death toll started to climb yesterday, remained shut for the second consecutive day.

The state police also made an appeal to the people “to maintain order” and asked them not to “fall prey to any speculation and rumour”.