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At least 20 killed in Kashmir clashes after militant's death

Story highlights
  • Violence erupts after death of commander of militant separatist group Hizbul Mujaheedin
  • Police in India-controlled Kashmir say mobs protest Burhan Wani's death

Srinagar, India(CNN) At least 20 people have been killed and more than 300 injured since Friday in clashes between protesters and security forces in Indian-administered Kashmir, according to police.

A curfew in the region first issued Saturday remains in place, S.J.M. Geelani, Kashmir Zone police chief, told CNN.

The violence erupted after Burhan Wani, a 21-year-old commander of the militant separatist group Hizbul Mujaheedin, was killed Friday in a gunfight with the Indian army and Kashmir police in the subdistrict of Kokernag in Indian-controlled Kashmir, about 70 kilometers (43 miles) south of Srinagar, summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Police described Wani's killing as a major success in their campaign against separatist militants, but angry mobs protesting the death attacked police stations and posts and government buildings, a police statement said Sunday.

Villagers pray during Saturday's funeral for militant commander Burhan Wani.

Tens of thousands of people attended Wani's funeral Saturday, according to local resident Showkat Ahmed.

Among the deaths was a police officer, who drowned Saturday after when angry crowds pushed his armored vehicle into a river in Sangam, a town about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Srinagar.

The level of violence has decreased as authorities enforce the curfew in Srinagar and other towns.

Kashmir: India and Pakistan's bitter dispute

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