Srinagar, KashmirIndian security forces opened fire on curfew-defying protesters in Indian state of Kashmir on Friday, killing three and bringing the number of people killed in a wave of unrest to 55.

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The recent protests erupted in July over the killing of Burhan Wani, a commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen militant group, a separatist group.

In Friday's shootings, two protesters were killed in the west of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital, and one in the north of the city after crowds began attacking police and paramilitary positions following Friday prayers, a senior police officer said.

More than 100 people were wounded including several police officers.

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Pakistan, on Friday, requested M?decins Sans Fronti?res (MSF) — commonly known as “Doctors Without Borders” — to immediately provide medical assistance to thousands of people injured in Kashmir due to state aggression by Indian forces.

Adviser to Pakistan Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said the growing emergency in the area is due to “the atrocious Indian brutalities against unarmed and defenseless civilians.”

The foreign affairs adviser made the formal request by writing a letter to the international president of MSF.

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He said stressed on the immediate requirement of eye surgeons, as hundreds of people suffered severe eye injuries caused by use of pellet guns by security forces. Many people have lost their eyesight from shotgun injuries. 

India has urged its security forces to act with restraint as they try to keep protesters off the streets and quell near-daily violence that has flared since July 9, but some have accused troops of using excessive force to control the protests.

(Reuters)