Srinagar: The Kashmir valley is observing a shutdown on Friday on the shutdown call of joint resistance leadership (JRL) against the killing of top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Mannan Wani and his associate in a gunfight on Thursday.

All shops, business establishments, schools and colleges remained shut in response to the shutdown called by JRL.

Wani and his associate was killed by government forces in a gunfight in Shatgund village of Kupwara on Thursday.

The shutdown also affected the public transport even as light motor vehicles only were seen plying on the otherwise busy roads of Srinagar, witnesses said. Many government offices also witnessed thin attendance of employees in view of the strike.

Stringent restrictions have been put in place to thwart any attempt of people to hold anti-India demonstrations. Carrying riot gear, the CRPF troopers and police maintained strict vigil in volatile areas, especially Nowhatta, Gojwara, Rajouri Kadal, Saraf Kadal and other localities of the old city.

Reports of shutdown have also been received from other major towns and districts of the Valley.

In north Kashmir’s Kupwara, class work in all schools and colleges remained suspended today on the orders of district authorities amid fears of widespread protest against the scholar turned militant’s killing.