Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh on Saturday said security forces were soft targets of Kashmiri politicians who won’t criticize militants fearing they would strike back.

The BJP MP from Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir was reacting to a tweet by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, sharply criticising security forces for mowing down a protester under a vehicle in Srinagar on Friday.

Abdullah asked if the government’s “ceasefire means no guns, so use jeeps”.

The Union Minister said: “This exposes the double standards of Kashmir centric politicians. Security forces are soft targets for these politicians but they can’t speak against the militants as they can strike back.”

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He said the criticism of security forces who risk their lives protecting the country was “unfortunate”.

Earlier on Saturday, authorities imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order in the wake of the death of a youth who was allegedly hit by a security forces vehicle during clashes between protestors and forces.

Curfew and restrictions have been imposed in seven police station areas of the city, a police official said.

He said curfew has been imposed in the Nowhatta area of the city, while restrictions under Section 144 CrPc were in force in Rainawari, Safakadal, Khanyar, MR Gunj, Maisuma and Kralkhud police station areas of Srinagar.

The curbs have been imposed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.

The separatists had called for a strike across Kashmir on Saturday to protest against the recent civilian killings.

Most of the shops, fuel stations and other business establishments in Srinagar were shut, while public transport was off the roads, an official said.

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The authorities have also suspended mobile internet services in Srinagar and Budgam districts while the network speed has been reduced in four districts of south Kashmir.

A youth – Kasier Bhat – who was injured after being hit by a security forces vehicle during clashes between protestors and forces in the Nowhatta area of the city on Friday, died at a hospital on Saturday, police said.

(With inputs from agencies)