SRINAGAR: Complete shutdown is being observed in Kashmir valley over Joint Resistance Leadership’s call for observing August 15 as black day and to mark day with complete strike.

However, stringent security measures were put in place across the valley for the celebrations, a police official said.

Shops, private offices, fuel stations and other businesses were shut in Srinagar, the official said.

He said the city wore a deserted look as vehicles remained off roads. Only a few private cars were seen plying.

The police official said reports of shutdown were also received from other district headquarters in the valley.

The joint Resistance Leadership had asked people to observe a “black day” today. The JRL comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik had asked people to observe a complete strike.

Authorities have barred mobile telephone services, including Internet facility on handheld devices, as a precautionary measure