KISHTWAR; 09, Aug 2013:  The Indian Army has been called out and curfew has been imposed in Kishtwar town after violence broke out in the town. Earlier Hindu extremists attacked Muslims soon after they (muslims) offered Eid prayers.

Reports said that miscreants pelted stones at people gathered for Eid prayers at Chowgan Ground resulting in communal clashes that left over 30 injured.

Eyewitnesses said that when the people reached to the square before entering into the Eidgah, people from other community allegedly pelted stones and hurled abuses. This resulted in the altercation between members of the two communities which later led to group clashes. Police opened dozens of rounds in air and lobbed teargas canisters to control the situation, they said.

During a brief respite, prayers began but fresh clashes broke out immediately after people began to disperse. Few people set many vehicles, including those of police, a liquor shop and a hotel on fire.

Minister of state for home affairs, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, who hails from the town, reached there but was met with a hostile reception.

Stones were pelted at his cavalcade forcing him to beat the hasty retreat, eyewitnesses said.

District administration later called in Indian army and imposed curfew in the area to control the situation.