Indian policemen pay tributes to an officer of Indian police during his wreath laying ceremony at a police headquarter in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, June 23, 2017. An angry mob early Friday lynched a police officer in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said. The officer was killed outside Jamia Masjid (grand mosque) in Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, June 23 (Xinhua) -- An angry mob early Friday lynched a police officer in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The officer was killed outside Jamia Masjid (grand mosque) in Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

The incident took place late on Thursday night when people were busy holding prayers and thronging the mosque.

Locals said a man was spotted in the area making video recording and taking pictures of a demonstration held outside the mosque between 11:30 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. local time.

"No sooner the people rushed to catch him, the gunman pulled off his pistol and fired into the mob wounding three youngsters," a local told Xinhua. "The incident created panic and in the melee people caught hold of the man. He was beaten to death on spot."

Local media reports said policemen resorted to aerial firing and tear smoke shelling in the area to retrieve body of police officer from the spot as protesters clashed with them throwing rocks and brickbats.

"Another police officer sacrificed his life in line of duty. Deputy superintendent Mohammed Ayub Pandith of security attacked and beaten to death by a mob at Nowhatta last night," reads a statement issued by police.

Meanwhile, the authorities have imposed curfew-like restrictions in seven police stations in Srinagar in wake of the protest call given by separatist groups against Thursday's civilian killing in southern Pulwama district.

Reports said no Friday afternoon congregational prayers would be allowed at the mosque.

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Indian police officers carry the coffin of their colleague during his wreath laying ceremony at a police headquarter in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, June 23, 2017. An angry mob early Friday lynched a police officer in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said. The officer was killed outside Jamia Masjid (grand mosque) in Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. (Xinhua/Javed Dar)

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