Srinagar, Jul 28 (IANS): Life was adversely affected here and in other major towns of the valley Saturday following a shutdown called by the separatists to protest the killing of a youth by the army four days ago.

Markets, public transport, other businesses, colleges and universities remained closed in Srinagar city following a protest shutdown called by hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani.

The shutdown was called to protest the killing of 19-year-old Hilal Ahmad Dar in Aloosa village of north Kashmir Bandipora district by the army Tuesday.

Some private transport and three-wheelers, however, moved on the city roads where government offices, post offices and banks functioned normally.

Dar had left the village mosque after the Ramadan evening prayers when he was killed by the army in a firing incident Tuesday.

The army stated the slain youth was an armed militant. But, according to the victim's father and villagers, he was not involved in any militant activity.

Defence Minister A.K. Antony, who is visiting Jammu and Kashmir Saturday, along with the defence secretary and army chief has already ordered an inquiry into the incident.

Bandipora town remained closed for the fourth day Saturday as intermittent clashes between stone pelting protestors and the security forces continued to mar normal life since last three days.

Police and paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been deployed in full riot gear across Srinagar city to maintain law and order.

All the senior separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Shabir Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik and Muhammad Nayeem Khan, have been placed under house arrest to prevent them from leading protests in the city.

So far, no untoward incident has been reported from the city.

The shutdown also affected normal life in districts of Badgam, Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian, Kulgam, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Baramulla and Kupwara.