Three more people were killed and more than 150 were injured in Jammu and Kashmiron Friday amid renewed clashes between civilians and security forces in the state, bringing the toll to 53. Thousands breached the curfew imposed and tried to take out a protest march to Srinagar's Hazratbal shrine, The Times of India reported.

Mobs reportedly threw stones at Kashmir's Junior Health Minister Asia Naqash's house in the state capital and MLA Hakeem Mohammed Yaseen's home in Khan Sahib town, besides attacking police stations. At least 20 security personnel were also injured in the unrest.

Two of the civilians died in Budgam district – one of the reportedly while hurling stones at Friday prayers – and the other was killed in Baramulla. Clashes were also reported in Kupwara district, and internet services were disabled, and later restored in parts of Kashmir, where restrictions continued to be imposed for the 28th straight day.

Protests began in the state since the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8. The state of unrest in Kashmir has invited criticism from Pakistan, with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reiterating calls for a plebiscite among Kashmiris. The use of pellet guns, which can lead to loss of eyesight, by security forces for crowd control has been strongly condemned, with a petition filed in court to ban them.