Srinagar, Jun 19 (IANS): Restrictions were imposed here on Friday to prevent a protest march called by separatists against killings of former militants in north Kashmir Sopore town.

Preventive restrictions under section 144 will remain in force till further orders in Khanyar, Rainawari, Nowhatta, M.R. Gunj, Safa Kadal, Parimpora and Maisuma areas of the city, a senior police officer told IANS here.

"Similar restrictions have also been imposed in Sopore town," the officer said.

Authorities placed all senior separatist leaders including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah, Muhammad Nayeem Khan and others under preventive detention.

While Geelani and Farooq were placed under house arrest, Malik and others were detained in police stations.

Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel have been deployed at sensitive areas especially the old city areas in Srinagar.

Authorities also imposed curfew like restrictions in Sopore town to prevent the protest march called by separatists against target killings of former militants in the town since June 6.

So far, four former militants, who were believed to be close to the hardline senior separatist leader, Geelani have been killed in Sopore.

These killings have triggered panic among former militants who have since started migrating from the town to "safer places" elsewhere in the Kashmir Valley.

Markets in the Sopore town closed down earlier than their expected time.

Meanwhile, shops, public transport, other businesses and educational institutions remained closed in Srinagar city. Roads remained deserted except for some private transport and three wheeler movement in outskirts and uptown areas here.

Government offices, banks and post offices functioned normally but with reduced attendance due to non-availability of public transport in the city.