Srinagar, April 13 (IANS): A youth was killed on Wednesday when a tear gas shell hit his head as protesters took to the streets in Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir against the killing of three people earlier.

Police said violent protests erupted in Drugmulla area of Kupwara district during which demonstrators hurled stones at security forces.

A mob set fire to a police post in Langet town while a 1,000-strong mob gathered near another police post at Drugmulla and tried to torch it, reports reaching here said.

A youth, identified as Jahangir Ahmad Wani, was killed in the clashes with security forces in Drugmulla, police said.

"He was hit by a tear smoke shell on his head. He succumbed to his injuries," a police officer added.

With this, the civilians killed in clashes with security forces since Tuesday in Kupwara district has risen to four.

Two youths were killed in firing by security forces in Handwara town on Tuesday.

A woman hit by a stray bullet away from the clash site in Handwara died in a Srinagar hospital.

Meanwhile, one of the youths killed in Handwara and the woman were buried on Wednesday after Assistant Sub-Inspector Muhammad Rafiq was suspended for mishandling the situation in Handwara on Tuesday.