A police officer said the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers opened fire at stone-pelting protesters in Anantnag town this afternoon killing three teenagers, 17-year-old Imtiyaz Ahmad, 15-year old Ishtiyaq Ahmad and 19-year-old Shujatul Islam.

Four other youth injured in the firing had to be evacuated to Srinagar for specialized treatment.

Tuesday's killing in Anantnag follow the killing of five youth in twin north Kashmir towns of Sopore and Baramulla in past four days.

The killing of the youth in the Anantnag led to massive protests and incidents of arson and violence during which several shops and government vehicles, ambulances were torched by the mobs.

Though the authorities tried to impose a curfew, but the efforts were foiled by the agitated youth who took to streets and engaged the paramilitary and police troops in dingdong battles.

Warning shots were fired and teargas and baton charges used to control the situation.

The state chief minister, Omar Abdullah, announced that curfew will be imposed in south Kashmir towns hit by Tuesday's violence and asked “people to stay indoors and not violate it.’

He said security forces have been asked to use restraint, but warned that, “They are duty bound to enforce the curfew.”

Authorities imposed curfew in the old city areas of the capital which was shut on a call given by the separatist All-Parties Hurriyat Conference.

However, clashes erupted in defiance of curfew and tight security restrictions as slogan-shouting protesters took to streets and clashed with security forces.

The capital is highly tense with more units of paramilitary forces being deployed to scuttle the street protests.

North Kashmir towns of Sopore and Baramulla witnessed defiance of curfew and clashes for the fourth day running.

Protesters took to streets shouting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans in the Sopore town late this afternoon and engaged the security forces in pitched battles that were on till late this evening.

In Baramulla, clashes were reported during the day during which at least five persons were injured, two of them with bullet injuries. Condition of Firdaus Ahmad was stated to be critical.

Reports of clashes have come from other towns as well with authorities moving in more reinforcements to maintain and order.